Working With Nida-Core
1 - CUTTING and MACHINING
2 - FORMING
3 - WORKING UP
4 - FINISHING of the SANDWICH PANEL
5 - HOW TO WORK WITH OUR VENEER SKINNED PANELS (PDF file)
NIDA-CORE Is a polypropylene honeycomb covered on both faces with a soft polyester non-woven fabric. It is available in 2134 x1219 (4' x 7') ready for direct use: lamination or gluing. Other sizes such as 4' x 8' are available. Please inquire. The flexible and light sheets enable an easy use in sandwich panels where most usual techniques of cutting, laminating and gluing can be applied. Since it is a thermoplastic product, other additional specific properties make its use even easier.
1.1 - CUTTING
NIDA-CORE is conventionally cut by usual means: saws, knives or a hot wire OS it is thermoplastic.
- Saws- In order not to burst or melt NIDA-CORE when cutting, the best tooth spacing is close to: 10 teeth per inch Circular saws are particularly suitable for straight parts. 1/2 to 1" wide band saws are suitable for straight cuts, 3/8" for curved cuts.
- Knives - Cutting with a knife is possible. A "hawk bill" or "Linoleum" knife is quite suitable.
- Hot wire - Cutting can be carried out with an approx. 2mm tensioned wire heated at about 350°Cs (662'F).
1.2 - MACHINING
- At cold temperature - Classical tools for wood (ripper, grinder...) can be used by adapting the number of cutting blades and possibly the speed (too few blades can burst NIDA-CORE; too many can melt it),
- At hot temperature -
Another way is to use the thermoplastic property: softening under heat.
1) NIDA-CORE polypropylene cells melt at 160°C (320.0"F) whereas the non-woven polyester, which covers the facings, melts at 240°C (464°F). Hence if NIDA-CORE is heated at about 200°C (392°F), (it melts locally to the shape required (hot stamping) without damaging the non-woven facing.
2) A second way is to cut the required shape and then to re-weld the nor polyester. For example, the following edges can be achieved:
2.1 - COLD FORMING
The soft polyester non-woven scrim, which covers the large faces of NIDA-CORE makes it formable by:
- In the case of standard panels (3 psi to 12 psi) should be applied during curing time of polyester or glue. This can be done on a mold with vacuum or a matched die mold and a press.
- In the case of marine panels (scored 2" x 2" = 50mm x 50mm one side), a simple mold is sufficient.
2.2 - HOT FORMING and PRE-FORMING
Again a thermoplastic product Is easily thermoformed:
In an oven, in 3d mold, at less than 100°C (212°F), NIDA-CORE softens and under a very light pressure it very easily takes the required shape.
NIDA-CORE can also be hot preformed. Two possible processes:
- Preheating in an oven between 140°C (284°F) and 150°C (302°F), then forming in a cold mold.
- Forming in a mold heated at 130°C (266°F) -140°C (284°F).
In both cases NIDA-CORE will keep its shape at cold temperature.
In all cases, temperatures, pressures and timings should be setup according to the shape of the par and to the thickness of NIDA-CORE.
Sandwich panels with a NIDA-CORE core can be achieved either by direct laminations or by gluing a rigid skin.
3.1 - LAMINATION
The non-woven polyester applied on NIDA-CORE is an ideal surface for direct lamination of thermo hardening resins of polyester type (or other). However, considering their huge variety, resin formulations and lay up techniques should be checked against their compatibility with NIDA-CORE.
Most traditional techniques (hand lay up, spraying, vacuum, pressing, low pressure injection), which are function of existing tooling and depend upon the parts to be achieved, can be applied and need only slight adjustments to NIDA-CORE specificities.
Within the MIDA-CORE range, NIDA-CORE H8PP is especially suitable for lamination. Indeed. NIDA-CORE HC 8 has, as an under face of the non-woven polyester, a plastic film which restricts resin passing trough into cells.
The operating principle of sandwich panels is to have a perfect adherence between the core and the rigid skins. Therefore when working up a panel, it is necessary to check:
-The good impregnation by resin to the core and skins.
- The good contact, e.g. through pressure, between the core and the skins.
Manufacturing process of a laminated sandwich panel with a NIDA-CORE core:
a) Traditionally make the first skin of sandwich panel (gel coat on the mold, then required layers of glass-resin).
b) Before the first skin has hardened, apply NIDA-CORE, interposing an extra ca 400-g/m.2 quantity of resin, either applied on the skin or on NIDA-CORE when hand lay up laminating.
If necessary, in the manufacturing process or in case of a thin laminate and if a very high quality surface finishing is required, it is possible to let the gel coat and one of several layers of glass-resin polymerize. As soon as polymerization is over, a last of glass-resin is spread in order to glue NIDA-CORE as explained earlier. It is also possible to glue with shrink less polyester glue.
c) On NIDA-CORE, traditionally apply the required layers of glass-resin of the second skin, providing for and extra ca 400-g/m2 (1 1/2 fl. oz./ft.2) quantity of resin to impregnate NIDA-CORE and to ensure gluing with the laminate.
If necessary or if a gel coat finishing is planned on both faces of the sandwich, either a mold and countermold are used, or the first layers of the la CORE as explained before.
Pouring resin in heaps on NIDA-CORE without spreading it immediately should be avoided in order to prevent it from going through into the cells by gravity.
As NIDA-CORE is a heater insulator, using a resin with too much exothermic should be avoided since it could damage the laminate or cause air bubbles.
A glass mat should be preferred to a fabric for direct contact with NIDA-CORE.
d) Once the part is achieve, it is advised to apply the most evenly distributed pressure on the whole (vacuum, press, and weight...).
Hand lay up working is possible but a good NIDA-CORE laminate bonding (on the mould side) should be ensure by a former impregnation of NIDA-CORE then by a hand pressure on NIDA-CORE when fitting it. It is the same on lamination by simultaneous glass-resin spraying. Bonding of the other side is easier to check, as it is visible: additionally it is naturally made on the pressure unbubbling of the glass-resin layers.
e)Two methods may be used for bedding scored Nida-Core H8PP Honeycomb. The first method uses either Chopped Strand Mat (CSM) or chopped fiberglass from a chopper gun and the second uses a core bonding putty such as Nida-Bond CBC or a sprayable compound.
• Assuming the gel coat, skin coat and any additional structural laminates of the outer skin have polymerized and returned to ambient temperature you may proceed to core bedding. To achieve a good chemical bond this should be started as soon as this "green" cure stage is reached. The fiberglass will have a "surface tack" indicating that it is still chemically active and subsequent laminates will adhere well. Also, please note that the scored core flexes freely in both axesso that it will conform to the tool.
• To properly bed the core, there should be no projections from the laminate surface that might create an air pocket underneath core. These may be sanded or ground off and any dust, particles or loose fibers removed.
• The surface should be wet out and a layer of 1.5 or 2oz CSM or the equivalent in chopped strand from a chopper gun. This bedding layer should be thoroughly saturated with catalyzed resin and rolled out to eliminate air bubbles.
• The core may be bedded scored side up or down depending on whether the mold is convex or concave. Just prior to bedding the core, a small amount of resin should be sprayed or rolled onto the side of the core to be bedded. This will prevent the scrim from potentially leaching resin from the chopped fiberglass bedding layer.
• Press the lightly wetted core firmly into the chopped strand layer. If the core does not stay fast to the contour, perhaps a few relief cuts will have to be made along the scoring lines. When all the core is observed to be firmly bedded, allow the bedding layer to polymerize without disturbing until it has returned to ambient temperature before proceeding to the next laminate. This is to prevent out-gassing or extreme exotherm from creating bubbles or blisters in the subsequent laminates.
• The process for trowelable or sprayable core bonding is identical with only the replacement of chopped strand fiberglass with a filled and thixotroped resin to adhere the core. As with the chopped strand bedding, a little extra resin must be applied to the bedding side of the core to prevent the scrim from leaching resin from the compound and potentially creating a resin starved interface. Instructions for use of Nida-Bond CBC may be found in our website or in our catalog/handbook.
RTM
RTM techniques are possible with some products of the NIDA-CORE range. It depends on the technique used, injection pressure, temperature, and fluidity; therefore it is preferable to consult us in order to decide together upon a suitable product.
3.2 - GLUING
There again, non-woven polyester is used as a gluing surface to a lot of rigid skins such as wood, melamine laminates, marble, fibrocement or metal.
The glue to be used essentially depends upon the skin to be glued and on the physical and the mechanical strains applied to the finished sandwich panel. Numerous glues were already satisfactory tested on NIDA-CORE: polyurethane, epoxy, neoprene, vinyl, polyester, and ureaformaldehyde.
However, in all cases using a glue, tests should ensure compatibility of the different materials and the mechanical properties of the sandwich panel made. Polyurethane or epoxy bicomponent glues are the most often used thanks to their good mechanical characteristics and their adherence on most materials.
- Gluing process of sandwich panel with a NIDA-CORE core:
According to the manufacture's directions, evenly apply the required quantity of glue on the rigid skin or on NIDA-CORE or both at the same time, if so required by the glue. For polyurethane glue the quantity should be around 400 g/m2- (11/2 fl.oz/ft)
In the same way apply glue on the second skin or on the face of NIDA-CORE.
On the panel made apply the pressure specified for the glue, minimum of 0,2 bar and maximum of 1 (15 psi 29 In Hg,) bar is enough with regard to NIDA-CORE. Let the glue set under the indicated conditions before handling or applying efforts on the panel.
Characteristics of the sandwich panels are mainly due to the good adherence between the core and the skins, therefore a special care should be brought to gluing and the results obtained should be well checked.
Note: Cells may show through the glued skin if the latter is too thin or not rigid enough. Print through is made worse by an excessive gluing pressure and/or the glue shrinkage when drying.
3.3 - WORKING UP PREPREGS
The high melting temperature of polypropylene makes it possible to use prepregs, which polymerize at temperatures up to 125°C (at 100°C [212°F] NIDA-CORE still resist to 1 daN/cm compression).
Position the prepreg on NIDA-CORE, apply pressure at the required temperature and let the whole polymerize. According to the temperature and to the polymerization time, check that there is no risk of collapse of NIDA-CORE due to the flow. Under a press, a possible solution consists in positioning shims very slightly less thick than NIDA-CORE in order to avoid this flow.
Unmolding should not be carried out too hot to avoid any risk of distorting the panel or of de-laminating NIDA-CORE.
4 - FINISHING of the SANDWICH PANEL
4.1.1 - LAMINATED PANELS
Several types of finishings are possible in case of laminated panels. Molding of polyester skins makes if easier to work out edges as shown in the following examples:
Most frequently, edge finishing is carried out through a frame or a finishing profile. It's material will be chosen according to the physico-chemical strains of manufacture and use. Wood is interesting by it's very wide flexibility of use but it may require trimming and is sensitive to moisture. Plastic or metal enable a direct finishing but need a very exact size.
Setting the frames or profiles can be carried out, as shown by the following examples, either before or after the panel is made:
4.1.3 - GLUED PANELS
Several types of finishings are possible according to the skins, the panel use and the mechanical strains applied.
Unstrained decorative edges can be merely glued an both rigid skins. In case of a metal sheet, a mere fold can hide the edge.
4.2 - LOCAL STRENGTHENING PARTS, FIXING INSERTS for ELEMENTS OR OBJECTS
Fixing elements on a sandwich panel may require local strengthening parts or inserts.
Choosing the adequate solution essentially depends on the strains transmitted by fixing to the skins or to the core.
Fixings can be tranversing or not.
4.2.1 - NON TRANVERSING FIXINGS
4.2.1.1 - LIGHT LOADS
Considering the good cohesion of NIDA-CORE and the good adherence of skins if they were bonded up properly, fastening can be carried out in a normal way: rivets, bolts and, self tapping screws, on only one skin (Fig. 1).
If the load makes it necessary or if the skin is insufficiently strong, a glued metallic strengthening part can be added and will distribute the stress (Fig. 2).
4.2.1.2 - HEAVY CONCENTRATED LOADS
- In case of non-though fastenings, the most frequent solution consists of, before gluing the skins of
the sandwich panel, in placing inserts which locally build up a solid panel into which fastening is
carried out in a classical way.
The most frequently used insert is wood, but metal or resin inserts are also suitable.
The insert can occupy the full or only part of the thickness of the panel.
- For a greater flexibility of use, it is also possible to make resin Inserts on finished panels.
Considering the fixings to be made, inserts can be large or small:
a) Large inserts
The upper skin is removed from the surface concerned by the insert. A mastic resin is applied with a spatula into the cells of NIDA-CORE. Once the resin is dry, its sandpaper leaves a clean and surface on which solid fixing is possible.b) Small inserts
The upper skin is perforated at the spot planned for the insert. Using a cutting tool, a few cells sheared around the hole then filled up with resin. Fasteners can be inserted into the resin.
4.2.2 - THROUGH FASTENINGS
Through fastening can be carried out:
-with inserts as described above,
-with a metal or pultruded plastic compression sleeve,
-with to specially adapted fasteners.
4.3 - THERMOWELDED INSERTS
Because of its polypropylene composition, NIDA-CORE can very easily receive polypropylene inserts by friction welding.
The 15mm thick insert, whose diameter can vary according to the resistance wished, is positioned or NIDA-CORE at required spot.
Using to a rotating tool at 1500 revolutions a minute, a light pressure is applied on the insert.
Rotation and pressure create the heating, which enables a perfect welding between the insert and NIDA-CORE.
The panel thus prepared can received the final skins. On the insert, solid fixing is carried out with specially adapted screws.
5 - HOW TO WORK WITH NIDA-CORE VENEER SKINNED PANELS
Nida-Core Okoume panels are an ideal way to save weight for your yacht cabinets. The heart of the panel is the same Nida-Core polypropylene honey comb, that yacht builders have trusted for years to give them years of tough, rot proof service, that they have learned to expect, from the industries premier core manufacturer.
The panels come in thicknesses that mock the plywood that you are used to using, so the geometry of the cabinets, need not change. Cabinet joints can be accomplished by several methods. Cut a dado through the core, but not through the back veneer, the full thickness of the finished Nida-Core panel. Brush in thickened epoxy, and insert panel into groove. See figure 2.
 Figure 1 |
Another method of fixing shelves or bulkheads is by attaching a spline with epoxy then dado the core from the adjoining panel the depth of the spline, brush in thickened epoxy and slip the panel over the spline. |
 Figure 2 |
 Figure 3 |
| An out side corner, can be accomplished much the same way, only you will rabbit the edge of one panel (Figure 5) and apply thickened epoxy into the rabbit, and clamp in adjoining piece. |  Figure 4 |
 Figure 5 |
 Figure 6 |
 Figure 7 |
To join two panels edge to edge, dado both panels the thickness of the core, brush in thickened epoxy and inserts a spline. (See figure 7) |
If a radius is required, kerf the panel at the starting point of the radius. Clamp the panel to a flat surface and raise the loose end until the kerf is closed. Measure the distance between the raised portion and the surface of the bench, at the desired radius. If the radius is to be 3 inches then measure 3 inches from the kerf then measure the distance the raised portion is off the bench. This is the distance between saw kerfs. Spread thickened epoxy into the kerfs and bend to the radius desired. Squeegee off the excess epoxy from the back of the panel. (See figures 8, 9 & 10.)
 Figure 11 |
Cutting a dado into a solid frame, and gluing the Nida-Core panel into the dado can accomplish door frames. There is no special treatment to the panel. (See figure 11) |
A door can be hung in the frame by one of two methods. Dado the core out of the edge of the panel, brush in thickened epoxy and insert the spline. (See figure 12 &13) Then attach the hinge as normal and hang the door. (See figure 14)
 Figure 12 |
 Figure 13 |
 Figure 14 |
 Figure 15 |
You can also make a frame for the door as in figure 15, and hang as normal. |
 Figure 16 |
Counter tops and table tops, or shelf edges can be accomplished by cutting your edge molding to the desired shape and brushing in epoxy then bonding it to the panel. (See figure 16) |
When using a cored panel, careful planning will eliminate problems encountered once the cabinet is assembled. There is very little extra time involved but the end result will be a very strong and lightweight cabinet.
If you have specific questions or concerns about changing your process to Nida-Core panels, call 1-800-998-8796 and consult our technical staff.
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