Question on Alumimum Sandwich Panels

That's a tall order and will be a "custom honeycomb panel".

Go here: Search GlobalSpec and search for :"custom honeycomb panel".

Geee, I now want a Corned Beef Ruben "Aluminum Sandwich"....

This sounds like a Mapes Panel.

These are (usually) used as infill for aluminum window walls, where glass is undesireable. Is this the right idea?

If yes, any supplier of aluminum doors will be able to provide them to you.

[edit] As I consider, the size stated may be larger that generally available. If this is the right sort of thing, a phone call to an alum door guy can answer that question.

i have used "butler bulding" side panels for years. they where "steel" sandwich panels at the time. they where designed for side walls. they had a high r-value and would last for decades. they might be producing aluninum panels now.

As usual, the original question is woefully and pitifully inadequate. We are NOT interested in stealing applications, having seen plenty, mostly adequate or substandard. The few outstanding are celebrated.

In that framework I do not understand, what you really need. Do you? Even if not - and that is allright too - tell us what you desire to accomplish.

Excluding weather, structural panel for a NASA lunar colony, floor for an airliner...... The variations are limitless. Since most of us are not mindreaders, the ball is in your court for further conversation, or not.

I want to build an interstellar light cruiser using these babies in order to conquer the world! Of course!!

Actually, that was not too far off. I am looking make a tear drop trailer prototype using one of these things. I am not into the 3/4 plywood with 0.040" thick 2025-T3 al cladding. Makes them into an oven in the summer and a fridge in the winter.

Here is my goal - but just a little more high-tech:

https://www.google.com/search?q=tear+drop+trailer+pictures&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox

I am an aerospace guy working for a large company that starts with a B - and would like to at least dignify the design with something cool. I will stop just short of CFRP panels....

Back when I was working on Boeing stuff the M.C. Gill Corp was a big supplier of Sandwich panels. You might check with them & also try the Boeing surplus yards if they are still in business.

Good Luck

Look up Webbcore, in Hubbard Oregon. They got their start twenty years ago doing honeycomb walls for the clean room industry and have moved into custom products. They can build dissimilar sandwich systems with cardboard honeycomb if required between an aluminum panel on one side and different panel material on the other. They can produce any thickness.

They're good people and a good shop.

Excellent! I will check them out.

You can buy panels filled with foam that provide insulation and strength. The type of foam and the density determine the strength, with stiffer denser foams = stronger.

You can also fabricate with aluminum sheet, plus non-metallic honeycomb plus glue - which is how they are made in the first place.

and image search gives this. If anything looks interesting, click and see who made it

honeycomb core

honeycomb images

Here in India at Mumbai there is Public sector company called Bharat Electronics Ltd. They mfr similar panels for shelters. They make sandwich panels with core of foam. If you are interested I can send you their web site and e-mail address.They have German machines for making such panels.

Please send print if you have it - CAD if you have it and we'll give it a look and see if it's something we can help you with...We're a prototype/low volume and production metal stamping company who also works with all kinds of metals - we look forward to hearing from you! Kris Jacobs - PTM Corporation - *

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Thanks for all these excellent suggestions.

I am going to see if Hexcell will make a low-rate nomex core panel with aluminum on one side. They are local here in the valley and have some nice info on how to work their panels:

http://www.hexcel.com/Resources/DataSheets/Brochure-Data-Sheets/Sandwich_Panel_Fabrication_Technology.pdf

Boeing shut down their Surplus Store in the valley and that was a totally excellent place to pick up this kind of thing. I miss having that resource available. Their online auction presence it pitiful compared to the old format they had.

I will let you know how it comes out.

Try aluminum sheet with nomex honeycomb core. It is used in aerospace for lightweight interior panels and is fire retardent. Also, we used aluminum with klegecell core.

I just recently got quotes from Paneltec and Bellcomb for aluminum/aluminum honeycomb panels. They may be able to do the non-metalic core and side as well.

Just be aware this stuff is not cheap!