COMPOSITE MATERIALS
PP Honeycomb Core
Polypropylene core material for manufacturers developing lightweight sandwich panels and fabricated structures. Waterproof, chemical resistant, and fully recyclable.
Structure and material
The core separates the face sheets and supports the sandwich structure. Core density, cell geometry, and wall thickness are selected to meet the performance requirements of each application.
Our PP honeycomb core is manufactured in-house from raw polypropylene pellets using proprietary extrusion technology. Six dedicated production lines produce 135 m³ of core material daily, across five standard cell sizes.
Technical specifications
| Property | Value | Test Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Base material | Polypropylene (PP) | — |
| Cell sizes | 3 – 30 mm (standard: 6 / 8 / 12 / 19 / 25 mm) | — |
| Density | 45–200 kg/m³ (standard 80 kg/m³) | ASTM D1622 |
| Thickness | 3 – 500 mm | — |
| Max sheet size | 3,100 mm × 1,350 mm | — |
| Thermal insulation (U-value) | 2.0–3.1 W/m²·K | — |
| Compression modulus | 50.6–36 MPa | — |
| Compressive strength | 0.8–8.1 MPa | ASTM C365 |
| Shear strength | 0.3–0.9 MPa | ASTM C273 |
| Water absorption | < 0.1% | ASTM D570 |
| Flame rating | HB / V2 / V1 / V0 | UL 94 |
| Operating temperature | -40°C to +80°C | — |
| Product grades | Medical / Food / Industrial | — |
| Recyclability | 100% (thermoplastic, melt-reprocessable) | — |
Cell size selection guide
| Cell Size | Strength | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 6 mm | Highest compressive | Vehicle floors, heavy-load panels, pickleball paddles |
| 8 mm | High | Truck body panels, RV floors, industrial pallets |
| 12 mm | Balanced | Wall panels, furniture, flight cases |
| 19 mm | Moderate | Lightweight partitions, signage, packaging |
| 25 mm | Lower | Non-structural panels, door cores, display boards |
Where it fits
- Core material for CFRT and GRP sandwich panel production
- Vehicle floor and wall panel structures
- Modular building and cleanroom panel cores
- Sports equipment — pickleball paddles, table tennis blades
- Packaging, display, and industrial pallet applications
Manufacturing capability
Six dedicated PP core production lines with 135 m³ daily output capacity. From raw pellet to finished core under one roof at our 50,000+ sqm Tongxiang facility.
Questions before ordering
What cell sizes are available?
HOTECH offers PP honeycomb core in cell sizes of 6 mm, 8 mm, 12 mm, 19 mm, and 25 mm. Smaller cells provide higher compressive strength per unit area, while larger cells reduce weight. Cell size selection depends on the application.
What is the compressive strength?
Compressive strength ranges from 0.5 to 3.0 MPa depending on cell size and wall thickness, tested per ASTM C365. Our standard 8 mm cell core achieves approximately 1.5–2.0 MPa flatwise compression.
Is PP honeycomb core waterproof?
Yes. Polypropylene is inherently hydrophobic with water absorption below 0.1% (ASTM D570). Unlike paper or aramid honeycomb cores, PP honeycomb will not absorb moisture, swell, rot, or lose structural properties in wet environments.
Can it be recycled?
Yes, 100%. As a thermoplastic material, PP honeycomb core can be fully melted and re-processed into new products at end of life. This makes it a sustainable alternative to thermoset cores like PU foam or phenolic honeycomb.
Continue your selection
Related resources
Honeycomb Core Material Guide
Compare PP, aluminum, Nomex, and paper honeycomb cores — properties, costs, and best applications.
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Detailed comparison of four honeycomb core materials with mechanical data.
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