Technique eliminates use of silicone-based adhesive material as bonding medium. Adhesive requires precise time-temperature cure. Prepreg resin is used as bonding medium, and each layer is laminated together to form honeycomb billet. Process can be used in any application where nonmetallic honeycomb core is being fabricated

Batty, W. L.

Hayes, R. H.

Magee, F. S.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

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February 1974	 B73-10439 
•	
NASA TECH BRIEF 
Langley Research Center 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available oh a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Adhesive Coating Eliminated in New Honeycomb-Core

Fabrication Process 
S
A new technique has been developed for the fabrica-
tion of glass-fiber-reinforced, silicone-resin honeycomb 
core, which eliminates the use of the silicone-based 
adhesive material as a bonding medium. This adhesive 
requires a precise time-temperature cure, which, if not 
conducted properly, can cause up to 50 percent scrap-
page. With the new procedure, prepreg resin is used as 
the bonding medium, and each layer is laminated 
together to form the honeycomb billet. 
This process was developed to fabricate honeycomb 
core for the Viking-Lander ablative heat shield, but it 
could be used in any application where nonmetallic 
Finger Spacers 
Ribbon Direction
Honeycomb-Core Fabrication Process
honeycomb core is being fabricated. Test specimens 
were found to exceed strength requirements, and the 
new technique lalso resulted in decreased cost and time, 
while improving reliability. 
The honeycomb core is made from silicone, pre-
impregnated glass-fabric ribbon. The ribbon is pre-
formed under heat and pressure to desired dimensions; 
then it is placed in layers with finger spacers, placed 
between the layers in the honeycomb apertures (see 
illustration). 
When sufficient levels of ribbon and fingers have 
been added to make a core billet of required size, the 
uncured honeycomb billet is placed in a circulating 
oven. The billet is covered with a sheet of silicone 
rubber and is loaded with weights to insure proper 
bonding. Then the oven is heated for the required time 
for bonding and curing. The cured core then is post 
cured in an air-circulating oven. 
Note: 
Requests for further information may be directed to:. 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Langley Research Center 
Mail Stop 139-A 
Hampton, Virginia 23665 
Reference: TSP73-10439 
Patent status: 
NASA has decided not to apply for a patent. 
Source: W. L. Batty, R. H. Hayes, and

F. S. Magee of
Martin Marietta Corp.

under contract to
Langley Research Center
(LAR-1 1134) 
Category 08,04 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National
	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States
	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
	 will be free from privately owned rights.
S
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Adhesive coating eliminated in new honeycomb-core fabrication process

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