EconCore to showcase new high-performance honeycomb technology at JEC World 2019 in Paris

EconCore, a leader in thermoplastic honeycomb core production technology will be exhibiting at JEC World 2019 show in in Paris from March 12 to 14. The company is driving the development of the next generation of high-performance thermoplastic (HPT) honeycomb materials for applications requiring lightweight solutions but still have demanding performance requirements, such as high heat resistance in structural automotive and fire-smoke-toxicity (FST) in aerospace and public transport. 

EconCore’s technology, licensed to a larger number of market leading companies around the globe, has found its applications in automotive, transportation, building and industrial packaging applications. The cost efficiency of the process and the weight savings offered by the honeycomb structure were the main drivers of the success.

Now, by deploying EconCore’s continuous ThermHex honeycomb process technology with high-performance thermoplastics (HPT), these next generation materials can also provide additional benefits, attractive to the high-end markets. EconCore is breaking new ground with high-performance core materials and techniques for the commercial production of such materials. By combining high-performance honeycomb cores (polycarbonates, PPS, PEI, PA, etc.) with fiber reinforced, thermoplastic composite skins EconCore provides thermoplastic solutions for sandwich panels and parts.

“HPT honeycombs build on the intrinsic benefits of lightweight honeycomb structures, but now with higher heat stability and excellent fire resistance,” says Dr. Jochen Pflug, Managing Director of EconCore. “The thermoplastic polymers used for HPT honeycomb’s production are Fire-Smoke-Toxicity qualified grades, including, amongst other options, polycarbonates, PPS and PEI. Such sandwich structures fulfill the requirements with regards to railway (EN45545) and aviation (FAR25.853) applications.” explains Pflug. 

Even though these cores can be laminated with thermoset composite skins, the key innovation element is related to the perspective of high volume, continuous production of fiber reinforced mono-material thermoplastic sandwich panels allowing for cost-efficient conversion of such panels by thermoforming.

“The applications for HPT honeycombs are broad ranged and primarily lay within aircraft and railway interior components,” adds Tomasz Czarnecki, Chief Operating Officer of EconCore, “With the proven honeycomb structure, the mechanical performance is superior to that of FST / FR grades of foam cores offered in the market. Next to the possibility of combining the core with thermoset composite skins for conventional processing methods, the thermoplastic honeycombs are often laminated with thermoplastic face sheets, building all-thermoplastic sandwich structures. These can be thermo-formed into final parts in an energy, time and cost-efficient single-step process, dramatically changing production environment in contrast to the costly and labor-intensive conventional processing methods dedicated to thermoset composites.”

Visit us in Hall 6, stand R83 at JEC World 2019!