COMPOSITE PANELS / / E En nd d G Gr ra ai in n B Ba al ls sa aDuFLEX
TM
DuFLEX
TM
panels are specifically designed to reduce
construction time and to optimise structural weight in
high performance composite structures. Time-
consuming laminating, coring and vacuum bagging
steps normally required to fabricate high performance
composites are avoided, and material waste, labour
and tooling costs are greatly reduced.
DuFLEX
TM
panels are 2400mm x 1200mm with
multiaxial E-fibreglass or carbon fibre skins, laminated
with a high performance epoxy resin. Fibre orientation
and ply schedules are based on design or engineering
specifications to best meet weight targets, stress and
impact loads, and other design parameters.
The laminates are finished with peel ply to protect the
laminate from contamination and to reduce
preparation of the surface prior to secondary
bonding or laminating.
End grain balsa has an extremely high strength-to-
weight ratio, excellent mechanical properties, good
thermal and sound insulation properties, high impact
and fatigue resistance and good moisture resistance.
Typical applications include hull shells, decks, super-
structures, bulkheads, frames and stringers in one-off
construction, prototypes and running plugs. Non
marine applications include, rail floors, wall, doors,
roof and interior partitions, automotive floors and
truck bodies, and architectural long span roofing and
partitions.
Tensile Strength
Tensile Modulus
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
TYPICAL LAMINATE PROPERTIES
Laminate thickness 0.53mm per 600gm Fibre Fraction 62-664% weight fraction
Test Method
ASTM D3039
ASTM D3039
ASTM C-273
ASTM C-273
Biaxial
– Warp (0
o
)
371.9 MPa
21.27 GPa
293.8 MPa
21.27 GPa
Biaxial
– Fill 90
o
327.6 MPa
18.22 GPa
255.5 MPa
18.22 GPa
DUFLEX Balsa – DP1019C6
13mm Plywood- 5ply
Solid Layup 9x C600+M225
4mm Steel Plate
6mm Aluminium
MATERIAL COMPARISONS
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
DUFLEX
DP1019C6
13mm
Plywood-
5 ply
Solid layup
9xC600
+M225
4mm
Steel Plate
Weight (kg/m
2
)
6mm
Aluminium
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
13mm
Plywood-
5 ply
Solid layup
9xC600
+M225
4mm
Steel Plate
Pressure to Failure (kPa)
based on a 1m x1m panel
6mm
Aluminium
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
DUFLEX
DP1019C6
DUFLEX
DP1019C6
13mm
Plywood-
5 ply
Solid layup
9xC600
+M225
4mm
Steel Plate
Deflection (mm)
2.5kPa pressure on a 1m x1m panel
6mm
Aluminium
Weight (kg/m
2
)
5.1
8.1
16.9
31.4
16.2
Deflection (mm)
3.4
7.4
9.5
8.6
7.1
Pressure to Failure(kPa)
35
5
30
19
18
NOTE Our products are intended for sale to industrial and commercial customers. We
request that customers inspect and test our products before use and satisfy themselves as
to contents and suitability. Nothing herein shall constitute a warranty, express or implied,
including any warranty or merchantability or fitness, nor is protection from law or patent
to be inferred. All patent rights are reserved. The exclusive remedy for all proven claims
is replacement of our materials and in no event shall we be liable for special or
consequential damages.
22/10/09
Nominal Weight kg/m
2
3.8
4.2
4.7
5.1
6.0
6.0
6.5
6.9
7.2
8.3
STANDARD STOCK DuFLEX WITH BALTEK
BALSA CORE 150 kg/m
3
Order Code*
DP1010C6
DP1013C6
DP1016C6
DP1019C6
DP1025C6
DP2010C6
DP2013C6
DP2016C6
DP2019C6
DP2025C6
Description
1 x 600gm biaxial E-glass on either side
1 x 600gm biaxial E-glass on either side
1 x 600gm biaxial E-glass on either side
1 x 600gm biaxial E-glass on either side
1 x 600gm biaxial E-glass on either side
2 x 600gm biaxial E-glass on either side
2 x 600gm biaxial E-glass on either side
2 x 600gm biaxial E-glass on either side
2 x 600gm biaxial E-glass on either side
2 x 600gm biaxial E-glass on either side
C ore
Thickness
10 mm
13 mm
16 mm
19 mm
25 mm
10 mm
13 mm
16 mm
19 mm
25 mm
*
Example- order code for a 13mm panel with 1 layer of 600 gm biaxial is DP1013C6 – Alternative skin laminates available on request
Sheet size – 1200mm x 2400mm
All timber used in the manufacture of DuFLEX Composite Panels is plantation grown. ATL Composites reserves the right to alter
specifications without prior notice. Weight may vary due to variations in core density.
CUTTING
Diamond-coated fiberglass tooling is recommended
for best tool life. The best edge finish is achieved with
circular saws running aluminium cutting blades,
however blade life is greatly reduced.
KITS
ATL Composites offers in-house CAD and CNC
cutting services, and can produce pre-fabricated
DuFLEX kits from electronic design files.
JOINING
& BONDING
To offset the individual size of the panel, DuFLEX can
be supplied with both long edges pre-machined to
facilitate joining. The Z-Joint is structurally effective
and achieves a smooth and fair surface profile. A
high density epoxy adhesive is specified for joining
DuFLEX Z-joints. Contact ATL Composites for
suitable adhesives.
Manual joining of the panels is also possible,
Contact ATL Composites for specific details.
COMPOSITE PANELS / / E En nd d G Gr ra ai in n B Ba al ls sa aDuFLEX
TM
A AT TL L c co om mp po os si it te es s P Pt ty y L Lt td d
Tel (+61) 7 5563 1222
Fax (+61) 7 5563 1585
info@atlcomposites.com
www.atlcomposites.com
ATL composites
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RIGID END-GRAIN SHEET PROPERTIES
150 kg/m
3
13.0 MPa
3.52 GPa
12.67 MPa
3.92 GPa
2.94 MPa
159 MPa
0.066 W/m.
o
K
18.9 x 10
-6
m/m/
o
C
12.6 x 10
-6
m/m/
o
C
3.06 x 10
-6
m/m/
o
C
9.4 lb/ft
3
1886 psi
510 ksi
1837ksi
568 ksi
427 psi
22.8 ksi
0.453 Btu.in/hr.ft
2
.
o
F
10.5 x 10
-6
in/in/
o
F
7.0 x 10
-6
in/in/
o
F
1.7 x 10
-6
in/in/
o
F
STORAGE
DuFLEX
TM
panels should be stored flat, out of direct sunlight, and kept dry and clean. Panels supplied with fibreglass skins have
peel-ply on the surface, which should be left in place as long as possible, to protect them from surface contamination.