Marine

Structurally Sound Solutions

3ACM’s Hybrid Core Concept

Have you ever thought how challenging and varied boat constructions are? They involve diverse functional components that required specifically tailored core solutions for each part. Since 1940, BALTEK® “Balsa Technology” has been the world’s leading producer of balsa for industry and marine solutions. Today 3A’s Hybrid Core Concept focuses on using a variety of specialized products to continue our legacy of making boats faster, lighter, and stronger.

With multiple US production sites we provide customers with labor saving solutions through specialized configurations, custom sheet sizes and excellent finished profiles. Whatever the goal, 3A Composites Core Materials will give our customers the best solutions and technical support. Read on to learn how sandwich construction with the broad range of AIREX®, BALTEK® & Lantor core materials gives architects, designers & engineers the “right tool for the right job.”

Advantages of our core materials

The design requirements of marine laminates are as diverse as the variety of vessel types. What is necessary to produce dozens of bass boats or center consoles each week is quite different than the design and manufacture of a racing boat or mega-yacht. 21st century design and manufacturing desires the following:

  • Higher performance, more speed, better fuel economy, more payload > lower weight
  • Safer > more strength
  • Durability > no water absorption, greater fatigue, damage tolerance
  • Less labor, shorter cycle times > Lower cost
  • Design flexibility, multi-fuctional FRP laminates
  • More sustainable

Right core material for the right place

Click on the application you're interested in choosing a core materials for.

Decks/Liners

Why sandwich?
Increased stiffness & strength at far lower weight with less labor & materials
Quieter ride (acoustic insulation)
Thermal insulation
Less weight = more speed and/or better fuel economy
Why AIREX®?
T92 creates high performing, cost effective laminates
C70 provides for the lightest parts
Why BALTEK®?
Highest stiffness & strength at equal thickness
Cost effective
Best bang for the buck & most sustainable
SB.50 only slightly heavier than foam core…
Why Lantor®?
Ease of installation, thinner sections
Print blocking

Hatches/Lids

Why sandwich?
Increased stiffness & strength at far lower weight with less labor & materials
Works well in RTM, LTRM, and Squish Molding
Why AIREX®?

T92 creates high performing, cost effective laminates

 Why BALTEK®?
Highest stiffness & strength at equal thickness
Cost effective
Best bang for the buck & most sustainable
SB.50 only slightly heavier than foam core…

Transom

Why sandwich?
Increased stiffness & strength at far lower weight with less labor & materials
Why AIREX®?
PXc no water absorption
Why BALTEK®?
SB.150 highest possible compression strength at the lowest weight & price
Why Lantor®?
Print blocking

Small Parts

Why sandwich?
Increased stiffness & strength at far lower weight with less labor & materials
Thermal & acoustic insulation
Less weight = more speed and/or better fuel economy
Why AIREX®?
T92 creates high performing & cost effective laminates
C70 Lowest Weight
Why BALTEK®?
Highest stiffness & strength at equal thickness
Cost effective
Best bang for the buck & most sustainable

Stringers

Why sandwich?
Lower weight
Less labor, lower production time
Eliminates tooling
Why AIREX®?
C70.55: lowest weight
T92.60: more cost effective
PXw: stand-alone product; less lamination

Bulkheads

Why sandwich?
Increased stiffness & strength at far lower weight with less labor & materials
Thermal & acoustic insulation
Less weight = more speed and/or better fuel economy
Panel fabrication possible without tooling
Plywood replacement
Why AIREX®?
C70 – lowest weight
T92 – more cost effective
PXw: stand-alone product
Why BALTEK®?
Highest stiffness & strength at equal thickness

Hull Bottom

Why sandwich?
Increased stiffness & strength at far lower weight with less labor & materials
Greater Impact strength; double wall plating resists punctures (your boat is less likely to sink)
Quieter ride
Why AIREX®?
Lightest possible laminates with C70.90 & 130
Why BALTEK®?
Highest mechanical properties
Cost effective
Best bang for the buck & most sustainable

Hull Sides

Why sandwich?
Increased stiffness & strength at far lower weight with less labor & materials
Greater Impact strength; double wall plating resists punctures (your boat is less likely to sink)
Quieter ride (acoustic insulation)
Thermal insulation
Added flotation
Why AIREX®?
T92 creates high performing, cost effective laminates
C70 provides for the lightest parts
Why BALTEK®?
Highest stiffness & strength at equal thickness
Cost effective
Best bang for the buck & most sustainable
SB.50 only slightly heavier than foam core…
Why Lantor®?
Ease of installation, thinner sections
Print blocking

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References

Innovation Yachts, France - BALTEK® SBC

Innovation Yachts, France - BALTEK® SBC

IBBI, USA - AIREX®T92/C70/PX, BALTEK® SB/SBC, Lantor® Coremat®/Soric®

IBBI, USA - AIREX®T92/C70/PX, BALTEK® SB/SBC, Lantor® Coremat®/Soric®

Scout Boats, USA – AIREX® T92/C70/PXc, Lantor® Coremat®/Soric®

Scout Boats, USA – AIREX® T92/C70/PXc, Lantor® Coremat®/Soric®

Innovation Yachts, France - BALTEK® SBC

Innovation Yachts, France - BALTEK® SBC

BALTEK® SBC – FSC Plantation Controlled Structural balsa


Application

  • Custom-built sailing yachts with BALTEK® SBC.50

Processing

  • Vacuum infusion

Benefits

  • Excellent product performance
  • Best-in-class balsa from carbon-neutral production
iCat, USA - AIREX® T92

iCat, USA - AIREX® T92

AIREX® T92 – Structural and Sustainable


Application

  • Catamaran components sandwiched with AIREX® T92 – hull, deck, roof

Processing

  • Vacuum infusion

Benefits

  • Sustainability
  • Weight reduction
  • Cost efficiency
  • Easy processing with FlexiCut
IBBI, USA - AIREX®T92/C70/PX, BALTEK® SB/SBC, Lantor® Coremat®/Soric®

IBBI, USA - AIREX®T92/C70/PX, BALTEK® SB/SBC, Lantor® Coremat®/Soric®

AIREX® T92 – Structural and Sustainable
BALTEK® SB – Select Grade Structural Balsa
BALTEK® SBC – FSC Plantation controlled structural Balsa


Application

  • AIREX® T92, BALTEK® SB, BALTEK® SBC series for different boats

Benefits

  • Excellent product quality
  • Outstanding fatigue resistance properties
  • Environmentally friendly products
  • Support and in-house testing by 3A Composites Core Materials
  • Global availability
Sino Eagle Yacht Co. Ltd., China - AIREX® C70, BALTEK® SB

Sino Eagle Yacht Co. Ltd., China - AIREX® C70, BALTEK® SB

AIREX® C70 – High Specific Properties
BALTEK® SB – Select Grade Structural Balsa


Application

  • Yachts with AIREX® C70.75 and BALTEK® SB.100

Processing

  • Vacuum infusion

Benefits

  • 3A Composites Hybrid Core Concept makes optimized use of each material
  • Energy saving (lightweight)
  • Product quality and properties
  • Technical support from 3A Composites (China) Ltd.
Scout Boats, USA – AIREX® T92/C70/PXc, Lantor® Coremat®/Soric®

Scout Boats, USA – AIREX® T92/C70/PXc, Lantor® Coremat®/Soric®


Application

  • Custom built center console fishing boats with various AIREX® materials


Processing

  • Vacuum Infusion


Benefits

  • Excellent Product Performance
  • Weight Savings with SealX
  • Dependable Partner

Additional information

Find out more about our products and contact us.

Do you have any open question about our products or the application that you are aiming for? Just reach us and discuss your projects and requirements with our sales and technical services teams.

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