Does anyone have hands on experience doing resin infusion of carbon fiber with a balsa end grain core. In my research on the methods, I find statements of vendors that indicate balsa end grain can be fabricated as a core between carbon fiber this way but at this time, actual evidence or instructions by someone experienced doing this still eludes me. Does anyone know anyone what has done it (successfully), or is it mere hyperbole by the vendors of the balsa core material? FYI, I have written to one notable vendor with no response. I have also done a patent search and with one notable exception there are no patents that shed light on the process of sealing the end grain. The referenced patent simply says But how to seal it and with what to seal it? And how much weight is added to the balsa when it is sealed? Is this all a secret?
Looking for replies with experience.... no theories or conjecture, please.


A Lifelong Learner

I have done balsa infusion/wet lay setups for my laminate/material library. With infusion grooves and holes, like solid foam infusion preparation. I used polyurethane coupling spay coat to seal the wood. In the end the weight of the three pieces varied significantly. After mathematically taking away the carbon skin, the difference was about 30%. And the weight wasn't pleasing either. It was about the same as 3d pet core/soric lrc. Wich are easier available, better in terms of handling, storage, reliability and were ready to use right of the roll. Both aren't what I would call ultra lightweight. For me that are bread and butter sandwich materials, because they are infusion ready. Wet layed rohacell is less than a third that weight. For 3mm. For thicker sandwiches even less. Wet layed, balsa would be lighter than both materials, but solid airex would be still lighter.
And for stiffness: as long as you aren't using insulation foam or solid metal, the stiffness is just the same for every core material.