Aluminum Honeycomb Panels & Plates — Lightweight Sandwich Panels Built for Large Flat Surfaces
HXM Aluminum manufactures aluminum honeycomb panels (also called aluminum honeycomb plates or sandwich panels) with 3003-H24 or 5052-H14 face sheets bonded to a 3003/5052 hexagonal aluminum honeycomb core. Total thickness ranges from 6 mm to 100 mm, standard panel sizes up to 1,500 × 6,000 mm, and custom dimensions, edge closing, inserts and CNC cut-outs on request. Available finishes include mill finish, PVDF, PE, anodized and color-coated, meeting GB/T 3880, ASTM B209 and EN 485. Every shipment is supported by an EN 10204 3.1 mill certificate. Send your drawing or dimensions for a 24-hour quote or WhatsApp us directly at +86 137 6190 6384.
Aluminum Honeycomb Panel Product Specifications
| Product name | Aluminum honeycomb panel / aluminum honeycomb plate / aluminum sandwich panel |
| Face sheet alloy | 3003-H24 (standard), 5052-H14/H32, other alloys on request |
| Core alloy | 3003-H19 (standard), 5052-H19 |
| Face sheet thickness | 0.5 mm – 3.0 mm (typical 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.5 mm) |
| Core (cell) thickness | 5 mm – 50 mm |
| Total panel thickness | 6 mm – 100 mm |
| Standard sizes | 1,220 × 2,440 mm; 1,500 × 3,000 mm; 1,500 × 6,000 mm |
| Max width / length | 1,500 mm / 6,000 mm (larger by project review) |
| Coatings | Mill finish, PE, PVDF (≥25 μm), anodized, color-coated |
| Standards | GB/T 3880, ASTM B209, EN 485; fire rating A2/A per configuration |
| Certificate | EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate (MTC) |
| MOQ | 50 pieces for standard sizes; 1 metric ton for custom production |
| Lead time | 15 – 25 days after drawing approval |
Need exact sizes or curved panels? Send us your drawings and we will return a cutting, edge-closing and insert plan within one working day.
Honeycomb Core Options: Cell Size, Foil Gauge & Density
| Cell size (mm) | Foil gauge (mm) | Core density (kg/m³) | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2 (1/8″) | 0.04 / 0.05 | 80 – 110 | High-stiffness aerospace / precision fixtures |
| 4.8 (3/16″) | 0.05 / 0.06 | 55 – 85 | Transport interiors, clean-room panels |
| 6.4 (1/4″) | 0.05 / 0.06 / 0.08 | 40 – 75 | Curtain wall, architectural facade (most common) |
| 9.5 (3/8″) | 0.06 / 0.08 | 25 – 50 | Large flat panels, ceiling, signage |
| 12.7 (1/2″) | 0.08 | 15 – 30 | Lightweight backing panels, partitions |
Smaller cells and heavier foil give higher compressive strength and better flatness; larger cells reduce weight and cost. We help you select the right cell-foil combination based on your span, load and flatness requirements.
Aluminum Honeycomb Panel Weight vs Solid Aluminum Sheet
A honeycomb panel saves 70–85% of the weight of a solid aluminum plate of the same overall thickness while retaining much of the bending stiffness. Use the table below for typical weights with 1.0 mm face sheets and a 6.4 mm cell core.
| Total thickness | Honeycomb panel weight (kg/m²) | Solid aluminum plate weight (kg/m²) | Approx. weight saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 mm | 5.6 – 6.2 | 27.1 | ~77% |
| 20 mm | 7.0 – 8.0 | 54.2 | ~85% |
| 25 mm | 7.5 – 8.8 | 67.8 | ~87% |
| 50 mm | 10.5 – 12.5 | 135.5 | ~90% |
For a quick estimate: weight ≈ 2.71 × (2 × face thickness in mm) + core density × core thickness in mm / 1000, in kg/m². Send your panel specification and we will provide an exact theoretical weight and freight loading plan.
Mechanical Properties & Flatness for Curtain-Wall Sizes
| Property | Typical value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Compressive strength (L direction) | 1.5 – 5.5 MPa | Depends on cell size, foil gauge and core height |
| Shear strength (L direction) | 0.8 – 2.8 MPa | W direction typically 70% of L value |
| Peel strength | ≥ 25 N·mm/mm | Aerospace-grade epoxy / PUR adhesive |
| Flatness (1,220 × 2,440 mm) | ≤ ±1 mm / 2 m | Key advantage over solid sheet of similar size |
| Surface hardness | HB 40 – 55 (3003 face) | PVDF topcoat improves weathering only |
| Thermal expansion | 23 × 10-6 / °C | Match with aluminum framing systems |
Large-format honeycomb panels stay flat without bowing or oil-canning, which is why they are preferred for high-end curtain walls, elevator interiors and clean-room ceilings. {A(“contact”, “Request a test sample”)} to check flatness on your actual panel size.
Face Sheet & Coating Selection Guide
| Face sheet | Strength | Corrosion | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3003-H24 | Good | Excellent indoor / good outdoor | Standard architectural interior and exterior panels |
| 5052-H14/H32 | Higher | Excellent, including marine | Marine, coastal, transport and heavy-duty panels |
| Anodized finish | — | Hard, wear-resistant surface | Interior feature walls, escalator cladding |
| PVDF (Kynar 500) | — | 25+ year exterior color life | Facade, canopy, column covers |
| PE / color-coated | — | Good indoor durability | Ceiling, partitions, signage, furniture |
If your project is within 5 km of the sea, we recommend 5052 face sheets with PVDF coating to maximize salt-spray resistance. For indoor decorative panels, 3003 with PE color coat is the cost-effective choice.
Cut-to-Size, Edge Closing, Inserts & CNC Fabrication
We do not only sell raw honeycomb panels. Our fabrication shop prepares parts ready for installation:
- CNC cutting: rectangular, curved, circular and shaped panels to ±0.5 mm tolerance on a flatbed router.
- Edge closing: extruded aluminum U-channel or folded edge band to seal the core against moisture and dust.
- Inserts and hardware: threaded inserts, anchor plates, blind rivet nuts and lifting points bonded into the core at specified locations.
- Surface machining: counterbored holes, countersunk fixings and decorative grooves.
- Curved / cylindrical: panels can be roll-formed to a minimum radius depending on core height and alloy.
Send your fabrication drawing in DWG, DXF or PDF format. We return a DFM review with material utilization, edge-closing detail and costed BOM.
Honeycomb Panel vs Solid Aluminum vs Aluminum Composite (ACM)
| Property | Aluminum honeycomb panel | Solid aluminum plate | Aluminum composite panel (ACM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (25 mm) | ~7.5 – 8.8 kg/m² | ~67.8 kg/m² | ~5.5 kg/m² |
| Flatness on large sizes | Excellent (≤±1 mm/2 m) | Poor at 1,500+ mm width | Good |
| Stiffness / span | Very high | High, but heavy | Moderate |
| Fire rating | A2 / A achievable | Non-combustible (A) | Usually B1 / A2 depending on core |
| Impact resistance | Very good | Excellent | Moderate |
| Recyclability | 100% aluminum | 100% aluminum | Mixed aluminum + plastic core |
| Typical lifespan | 25+ years with PVDF | 30+ years | 10 – 20 years |
Honeycomb panels give the best balance of light weight, flatness and fire safety for large architectural panels. They are heavier than ACM but stiffer, fully recyclable and easier to certify for high-rise facades.
Applications of Aluminum Honeycomb Panels
Building Facades & Curtain Walls
Large flat panels, PVDF finish, thermal and wind-load compliance.
Interior Wall & Ceiling Cladding
Lightweight, easy ceiling suspension, anodized or color-coated.
Transport Interiors
Train, metro and bus floors, walls and ceilings; fire-rated cores.
Marine & Shipbuilding
5052 face sheets for salt-spray resistance; partition and ceiling panels.
Aerospace Interiors
Small-cell cores for lightweight galleys, partitions and luggage bins.
Clean Rooms & Laboratories
Flat, sealed, washable panels with edge closing and inset hardware.
Quality Control, Packing & Delivery
- Incoming inspection: face-sheet thickness, alloy certificate and coil coating adhesion test.
- In-process checks: core node strength, adhesive spread weight, lamination pressure and temperature recording.
- Final inspection: overall dimensions (±1 mm), diagonal tolerance, flatness check, peel-strength sample and visual finish.
- Certificates: EN 10204 3.1 MTC, coating test report, fire-rating test report on request.
- Packing: PE film + corner protectors + export plywood crate / pallet, moisture-barrier wrapping for sea freight.
- Lead time: 15 – 25 days after drawing confirmation; urgent samples in 7 – 10 days.
- MOQ: 50 pieces for standard 1,220 × 2,440 mm panels; 1 metric ton for custom sizes or non-standard alloys.
Read more about HXM Aluminum or send your project requirements for a full material and logistics proposal.
Related Products & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What standard sizes are available for aluminum honeycomb panels?
The most common sizes are 1,220 × 2,440 mm, 1,500 × 3,000 mm and 1,500 × 6,000 mm. We also cut to your drawing up to 1,500 mm wide and 6,000 mm long, with curved and shaped panels available by project review.
How much does an aluminum honeycomb panel weigh per square meter?
A 25 mm thick panel with 1.0 mm face sheets typically weighs 7.5–8.8 kg/m². A 10 mm panel is about 5.6–6.2 kg/m² and a 50 mm panel is 10.5–12.5 kg/m². This is roughly 80–90% lighter than a solid aluminum plate of the same thickness.
What alloys are used for the face sheets and core?
Face sheets are usually 3003-H24; 5052-H14/H32 is available for marine or high-strength applications. The honeycomb core is normally 3003-H19 foil; 5052-H19 core is offered for special corrosion-resistance needs.
Can aluminum honeycomb panels be curved or rolled?
Yes. Panels can be roll-formed to a radius depending on total thickness, core height and alloy. Thinner panels with larger cells form more easily. Send your radius and we will check feasibility.
What is the flatness tolerance?
For standard 1,220 × 2,440 mm panels we guarantee ≤ ±1 mm over a 2 m straightedge. This is one of the main reasons honeycomb panels replace solid sheet for large architectural facades.
What surface finishes are available?
Mill finish, PE color coat, PVDF fluorocarbon coating (≥25 μm), anodized, brushed and wood/stone-look finishes. PVDF is recommended for exterior facades because of its 25-year color life.
Can you supply edge closing and threaded inserts?
Yes. We supply extruded aluminum U-channel edge closing and bonded threaded inserts, anchor plates and lifting points installed at coordinates from your drawing.
What is the MOQ and lead time?
MOQ is 50 pieces for standard 1,220 × 2,440 mm panels, or 1 metric ton for custom sizes. Lead time is 15–25 days after drawing approval; samples in 7–10 days.
How do you pack honeycomb panels for export?
Panels are protected with PE film, corner protectors and edge padding, then stacked on plywood pallets or in plywood crates with moisture-barrier wrapping for sea freight.
What certificates do you provide?
Every order ships with an EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate. Coating adhesion, fire-rating and salt-spray reports are available on request.
How do I get a price for my project?
Send us your panel thickness, face-sheet alloy, coating, dimensions, quantity and any fabrication needs. We return a detailed quotation within 24 hours, including packing and freight options.
Are honeycomb panels fire rated?
With aluminum face sheets and an aluminum core, the panel can achieve A2 or A fire rating depending on the adhesive and edge-sealing system. Fire-test reports are available on request.
Ready to source aluminum honeycomb panels? Get a 24-hour project quote.
Request Honeycomb Panel Pricing WhatsApp +86 137 6190 6384
