CoreLite, Inc., Miami, FL, announced the introduction of BALSASUD PC11, a new balsa core product with a proprietary surface coating engineered for resin infusion, vacuum bagging, pre-pregs, and wet layup.
The proprietary polymer coating, under development for over a year, reduces resin absorption in the core while improving resin adhesion and bond strength in sandwich construction. PC11 is compatible with polyester, vinyl ester, and epoxy resin systems.
The increased bond strength comes with substantial resin and labor savings. By sealing the surface of the balsa core, PC11 eliminates the need to pre-wet, or “prime” the core with resin prior to laminating, reducing resin use and labor costs. The sealed surface also promotes more efficient resin flow in vacuum bagging and infusion processes.
PC11 joins BALSASUD SG (Standard Grade,) PG (Pith Grade,)and CoreLite Board in the CoreLite product line.
CoreLite Board is a cost-effective, closed-cell PVC foam specially formulated to provide high physical properties. It is engineered to meet the physical demands required for use in transoms, attachment points, floors, bulkheads, stringers, local reinforcement points, molds and tooling. CoreLite Board is a stand-alone product and can be used with our without composite skins as a direct replacement for wood and plywood. It has excellent fastener pullout strength and high flexural strength and stiffness and is 27% lighter than plywood.
BALSASUD balsa is grown, harvested and milled in Ecuador. The BALSASUD product line is vertically integrated– they own their own plantations and control production from harvesting to final processing. The BALSASUD S.A.facility in Ecuador has been FSC™ (Forest Stewardship Council™) certified by the Rainforest Alliance according to FSC Chain of Custody standards.
Final processing into finished core materials is done atCoreLite’s Miami facility, the newest balsa production facility in NorthAmerica. New coating equipment has been installed to apply PC11 coating. Controlling production from forest to end-user assures BALSASUD customers the highest quality balsa core products available today.
