BALTEK® SB.80 is a core material produced from select kiln-dried balsa wood in the ‘end-grain’ configuration. It has extremely high strength and stiffness to weight ratios, and achieves an excellent bond with all types of resins and adhesives. It is compatible with a variety of manufacturing processes and is resistant to temperature changes, or exposure to fire, or chemicals such as styrene. BALTEK® SB.80 is an ideal core material for an extensive range of applications subjected to static or dynamic loads in service. All while being a renewable resource.

Functions: Core Material

Core Type: Balsa Wood

End Uses: Tanks

Processing Methods: Prepreg Processing, Resin Transfer Molding (RTM), Spray Lay-up, Vacuum Infusion Processing (VIP)

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Identification & Functionality

Core Type
Composite Materials Functions

Features & Benefits

Product Highlights
  • Outstanding strength and stiffness to weight ratios
  • First-class, select grade lumber
  • Ecological product
  • Broadest range of available balsa densities worldwide
  • Certified for a range of applications by DNV, Germanischer Lloyd, Lloyd's Register, American Bureau of Shipping and Korean Register
  • Excellent fatigue and impact resistance
  • Fulfills most FST (flame, smoke, toxicity) requirements
  • Good sound and thermal insulation
  • Extremely wide operating temperature range (-212 °C to +163 °C (-414 °F to +325 °F)

Applications & Uses

Composites End Use
Application
  • Marine: Hulls, decks, bulkheads, superstructures, interiors, tooling/molds
  • Road and Rail: Floors, roofs, side skirts, front-ends, doors, interiors, covers
  • Wind energy: Rotor blades (shear webs and shells), nacelles, spinners
  • Industrial: Tanks, containers, architectural panels, impact limiters, sporting goods
  • Aerospace: Floors, cargo pallets, cargo containers, bulkheads, general aviation
  • Defense: Naval vessels, containers, cargo pallets, shelters, ballistic panels
Processing
  • Adhesive bonding
  • Compression molding
  • Contact molding (hand/spray)
  • Pre-preg processing (up to 180 °C, 355 °F)
  • Resin injection (RTM)
  • Vacuum infusion

Properties

Mechanical Properties
ValueUnitsTest Method / Conditions
Apparent Nominal Density132 (8.2)kg/m³ (lb/ft³)ASTM C271
ContourKore Thickness (CK)4.7 to 50 (3/16 to 2)mm +0.25 -0.75 (in +0.01 -0.03)
Compressive Strength Perpendicular to the Plane7.7 (1117)N/mm² (psi)
Compressive Modulus Perpendicular to the Plane2187 (317198)N/mm² (psi)
Tensile Strength Perpendicular to the Plane (Polyester)5.0 (725)N/mm² (psi)
Tensile Strength Perpendicular to the Plane (Polyester)10.9 (1581)N/mm² (psi)
Tensile Modulus Perpendicular to the Plane2337 (338954)N/mm² (psi)
Shear Strength2.3 (334)N/mm² (psi)
Shear Modulus166 (24076)N/mm² (psi)
Minimum Sheet Density113 (7.1)kg/m³ (lb/ft³)ASTM C271
Typical Properties
ValueUnitsTest Method / Conditions
Standard Sheet Width610 (24)mm ± 5 (in ± 3/16)
Standard Sheet Length1220 (48)mm ± 10 (in ± 3/8)
Standard Sheet Thickness4.7 to 76 (3/16 to 3)mm +0.25 -0.75 (in +0.01 -0.03)
Thermal Conductivity at Room Temperature0.059 (0.407)W/m.K (BTU.in/ft2.hr.°F)