PC honeycomb core and PP honeycomb core are both lightweight, high-strength thermoplastic honeycomb materials, but selection is not complicated. Most projects only need to answer three questions: Does the application require transparency or light transmission? Will it be exposed to temperatures above 80°C for long periods? Is it cost-sensitive and opaque?
The conclusion first: Choose PC for transparency, low-temperature resistance, high-temperature resistance, impact resistance and light diffusion. Choose PP for opaque structural parts, air filtration, water-resistant and wear-resistant backing boards, and cost-sensitive high-volume applications.
One table: recommendations by application
| Application | Recommended material | Why |
| Refrigerated cabinets | PC honeycomb core | Low-temperature resistance, lightweight, suitable for transparent/translucent structures in refrigeration equipment |
| Ventilation strips | PC honeycomb core | Dimensional stability, temperature resistance and lightweight structure for ventilation and airflow components |
| Air curtains | PC honeycomb core | Transparent/translucent, weather-resistant and lightweight for air curtain structures |
| Laser machine backing plates | PC honeycomb core | Temperature resistance, impact resistance and no shattering—suitable for laser equipment backing plates |
| Anti-glare mesh | PC honeycomb core | Transparent/translucent light diffusion, combining stiffness and impact resistance |
| Photography light covers | PC honeycomb core | Light transmission, temperature resistance and light diffusion for photographic lighting covers |
| Air filtration | PP honeycomb core | Opaque, chemical-resistant, low-cost and easy to process—suitable for filtration structures |
| Waterjet backing boards | PP honeycomb core | Water-resistant, wear-resistant, low-cost and replaceable—suitable for waterjet cutting backing boards |
| Automotive interiors, trunk floors, minibus floors | PP honeycomb core | Opaque structural parts, low cost, suitable for high-volume production |
| Truck/trailer body panels, delivery cargo boxes | PP honeycomb core | Lightweight, chemical-resistant and cost-efficient |
| RV wall/floor panels, logistics returnable packaging | PP honeycomb core | Sufficient structural performance; single-material construction is easier to recycle |
| Industrial shelving, opaque building wall/ceiling panels | PP honeycomb core | Opaque structural applications where PP offers a cost advantage |
| Cost-sensitive, high-volume projects without transparency requirements | PP honeycomb core | PP typically costs less per square meter and suits scaled production |
| Sandwich structures requiring single-material recycling | PP honeycomb core | All-PP systems are easier to recycle at end of life |
Quick decision: three questions are enough
1. Does the application require transparency, light transmission or light diffusion?
Yes → choose PC honeycomb core. Examples include air curtains, anti-glare mesh, photography light covers and transparent parts of refrigerated cabinets. PP is opaque and cannot replace PC for transparency or light diffusion.
2. Does the application involve low-temperature resistance, high-temperature resistance or impact resistance?
Yes → prioritise PC honeycomb core. Examples include refrigerated cabinets requiring low-temperature resistance, laser machine backing plates requiring temperature and impact resistance, and ventilation strips requiring dimensional stability. PC has a service temperature range of approximately −40°C to +120°C, with some grades reaching +130°C.
PP typically has a continuous service temperature of −40°C to +80°C, with short-term peaks around 140°C, but these peaks should not be treated as continuous operating conditions.
3. Is it an opaque structural part, air filtration, water-resistant/wear-resistant backing board, or a cost-sensitive high-volume project?
Yes → choose PP honeycomb core. Examples include air filtration, waterjet backing boards, automotive interiors, logistics packaging and opaque building panels. PP offers lower cost, good chemical resistance and recyclability, making it suitable for scaled production.
Temperature and price: a one-sentence summary
Temperature: PC ranges from approximately −40°C to +120°C, with some grades up to +130°C; PP is typically rated for continuous use from −40°C to +80°C. Prioritise PC for refrigeration, high-temperature and sun-exposed applications.
Price: PP is generally less expensive and suits cost-sensitive and high-volume projects; PC carries a premium for transparency, temperature resistance and impact performance.
Applications: PC is the choice for transparency, low-temperature resistance, high-temperature resistance, impact resistance and light diffusion; PP is the choice for opaque structures, air filtration, water-resistant and wear-resistant backing boards, and recyclability.
Final recommendation
Choose PC honeycomb core for: refrigerated cabinets, ventilation strips, air curtains, laser machine backing plates, anti-glare mesh, photography light covers, transparent roofing, protective screens, safety windows, and high-temperature or sun-exposed environments.
Choose PP honeycomb core for: air filtration, waterjet backing boards, automotive interiors and floors, truck/trailer body panels, delivery cargo boxes, RV wall and floor panels, logistics packaging, industrial shelving, opaque building panels, and cost-sensitive high-volume projects.
In one sentence: Choose PC for transparency, low-temperature resistance, high-temperature resistance, impact resistance and light diffusion; choose PP for opaque structures, air filtration, water-resistant and wear-resistant backing boards, low cost and recyclability.