Kevlar® Honeycomb Saves Weight

El Monte, California – 28 June 2002 – The M.C. Gill Corporation recently introduced its next generation of structural core – GillcoreT HK Kevlar® reinforced phenolic honeycomb. It promises to be a real breakthrough in addressing customer structural core needs, since the high strength and stiffness of Kevlar allows for use of lower density cores resulting in a huge potential for weight savings over Nomex® and other commonly used materials. Gillcore HK core offers all of the advantages of first generation aramids but with superior shear strength, modulus, fatigue resistance, dimensional stability and hot/wet properties. “It is no secret that strength coupled with significant weight savings is critical in advanced aircraft design. This is of strategic importance for the ground breaking designs such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing Sonic Cruiser that will usher in a new era of commercial aviation,” Irv Freund, VP Sales and Marketing said. “With typical weight savings of 20-45% as compared to Nomex and other core materials, Gillcore HK is positioned to become the new standard for aircraft interior components, flooring panels and fuselage structures where weight savings is of primary importance.” Gillcore HK is presently available in select configurations. An expanded range of cell sizes and density offerings is in development. This material is currently undergoing evaluation with Lockheed, Bell, Airbus, Boeing and other commercial and military manufacturers. At the same time, M.C. Gill Corporation is evaluating the benefits of this material as an alternate to Nomex in select GillfabT advanced composite sandwich panel designs. Gillcore HK Kevlar honeycomb’s ability to deliver superior mechanical properties at a lower weight combine to make it an attractive alternative in many applications. As customers learn about its properties they will realize its value as an alternative to Nomex, Korex® and fiberglass reinforced honeycomb.