Experiences of an Aircraft Manufacturer with Sandwich Material

A METAL-FACE, balsa-core sandwich material being marketed under the trade name “metalite” has been found competitive with the present conventional all-metal types of construction.

In this material, cycleweld cement and phenolic resins form the bond. Extremely high joint efficiencies can be obtained with hollow rivets or aluminum-alloy bolts.

Metalite construction gives the very smooth surface needed for high-speed, low-drag aircraft and has been used extensively in the XF5U-1 and XF6U-1 experimental Navy fighter planes.