Structural Balsa
Overview
Natracore is a naturally recurring Ecuadorian resource. The balsa plant grows from a seedling to a mature tree in 4-6 years reaching heights of up to 28 meters (90 ft) before coming to the end of its natural life. Natracore is high quality coring material made from end-grain balsa wood. Its end-grain, micro-honeycomb structure offers exceptional strength and stiffness. Natracore core can be supplied in flat sheets, in grid-scored form and as kits.
Balsa Cores are ideal for structural applications where high rigidity is required without a requirement for low densities. Normally Balsa densities are around 140 - 180gm/litre or kg/m3. Are most economical core material for most applications. Although made from wood, the balsa is cut in the end grain, so once laminated becomes virtually water resistant Not good for high impact applications
Product range
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| BALSA-06 | Duroplastic Natracore Balsa - 6mm |
| BALSA-10 | Duroplastic Natracore Balsa - 10mm |
| BALSA-13 | Duroplastic Natracore Balsa - 13mm |
| BALSA-15 | Duroplastic Natracore Balsa - 15mm |
| BALSA-20 | Duroplastic Natracore Balsa - 20mm |
| BALSA-25 | Duroplastic Natracore Balsa - 25mm |
Information
A Renewable Resource
- ProBalsa is a naturally recurring Ecuadorian resource. The balsa plant grows from a seedling to a mature tree in 4-6 years before coming to the end of its natural life. Harvested trees are milled, kiln dried, sorted by density and quality and then assembled into blocks for conversion into ProBalsa. ProBalsa is environmentally friendly and biodegradable.
Total Quality Control
- Processing raw balsa wood is carried out in DIAB's own modern facility in Ecuador. DIAB Ecuador also qualifies raw material suppliers and carries out the ecological administration of the balsa program. This includes working closely with suppliers regarding correct harvesting and subsequent re-planting programs to ensure the future availability of balsa.
Ideal for Demanding Applications
- ProBalsa is best suited for dynamic structures where performance and efficiency are paramount. ProBalsa has a history of proven success in a wide variety of applications, including commercial, military and pleasure marine, wind energy and surface transportation.
Easy to Use
- All ProBalsa core materials are particularly easy to work using conventional woodworking tools. They can be drilled, milled, turned and sawn to close tolerances. ProBalsa can be used in hand lay-up, vacuum bag and infusion applications. It is also suitable for elevated temperature cure, prepreg systems.
ProBalsa Grades
ProBalsa is available in four different forms in order to enable designers to achieve the most appropriate strength-to-weight performance.
- ProBalsa Lightweight is a low density - 90 kg/m3 (5.6 lb/ft3) - balsa core for weight critical applications. ProBalsa Standard provides an excellent combination of high
strength/ low weight. It has a nominal density of 155 kg/m3 (9.7 lb/ft3). - ProBalsa Standard with an average density of 155 kg/cu.m., ProBalsa standard provides and excellent combination of high strength and low weight.
- ProBalsa Heavyweight is a high density, high strength version of ProBalsa Standard for highly loaded applications. Its nominal density is 220 kg/m3 (13.8 lb/ft3).
- ProBalsa Plus is a premium version of ProBalsa where the surface is micro sanded and treated with a special surface primer to reduce resin absorption during lamination.
Standard & Special Finishing
- ProBalsa can be supplied with probably the widest range of finishes available in the industry. The aim of the various finishes is to facilitate and speed core installation, enhance component quality / performance and to meet specific process requirements. These include grid-scored, double cut and 'infusion' grooved/perforated forms.
Ready-Made Kits
- For those involved in series production, ProBalsa can be supplied in ready-made construction kits where each piece is pre-cut, shaped, as necessary, and numbered to fit exactly into its designated place in the mold. This substantially reduces build times, saves labor costs, improves quality and cuts waste
Marine
- hulls, bulkheads, decks, superstructures, internal furniture
Automotive and Rail
- door panels, floor panels, roof panels
Wind Energy
- blades, housings, spinners
Architectural
- laminated wall claddings, floor panels, wall panels, roof panels, specialized clean room wall panels
Industrial construction
- floating roofs, floating docks, bridges, platforms, chemical tanks,filtration
Recreational
- kayaks, canoes
