What causes delamination in honeycomb construction?

Delamination in honeycomb construction primarily occurs due to exposure to moisture. Honeycomb structures are often made of composite materials where layers are bonded together. When moisture infiltrates these bonded layers, it can weaken the adhesive and lead to the separation of the layers, resulting in delamination. This is particularly critical in aviation and aerospace applications where the integrity and strength of materials are paramount for safety and performance.

Factors such as excessive weight load, mechanical stress during installation, and adhesive quality may contribute to structural issues, but they are not the direct causes of delamination like moisture exposure is. Moisture can also cause swelling or other changes in the material properties, further compounding the risk of delamination. Therefore, managing environmental exposure is essential to maintaining the integrity of honeycomb structures.