Lantor Soric vs. Lantor Coremat: Which Composite Core Material is Best for Your Project?
Selecting the right composite core material can significantly impact the weight, strength, resin consumption, production efficiency, and overall cost of your finished component. Two of the most widely used options in composite manufacturing are Lantor Soric® and Lantor Coremat®.
While both materials are designed to create lightweight composite structures, they offer different advantages depending on the manufacturing process and performance requirements.
In this guide, we’ll compare Lantor Soric vs Coremat, explain their strengths and limitations, and help you decide which material is best suited to your application.
Quick Comparison: Lantor Soric vs Coremat
|
Feature
|
Lantor Soric
|
Lantor Coremat
|
|---|---|---|
|
Resin Flow Management
|
Excellent for infusion processes
|
Suitable for infusion & hand lay-up
|
|
Compression Resistance
|
High
|
Moderate
|
|
Weight
|
Lightweight
|
Slightly heavier than Soric
|
|
Available thickness
|
1.5mm to 6mm
|
2mm to 10mm
|
|
Applications
|
Marine, Automotive, Industrial
|
Marine, Construction, Industrial
|
|
Stiffness
|
High
|
Moderate
|
|
Durability
|
High
|
High
|
|
Cost
|
Moderate to High
|
Moderate
|
What is Lantor Soric?
Lantor Soric is an advanced flow media and core material designed primarily for resin infusion manufacturing processes.
Its unique honeycomb-like structure promotes resin distribution throughout the laminate while simultaneously acting as a lightweight core. This allows manufacturers to reduce production time while achieving excellent stiffness-to-weight ratios.
Key Benefits of Lantor Soric
- Optimised resin flow during infusion
- Increased panel stiffness
- Reduced component weight
- High compression strength
- Improved surface finish quality
- Faster production cycles
Typical Applications
- Boat hulls and decks
- Marine interiors
- Vehicle body panels
- Motorhomes and caravans
- Railway components
- Industrial composite structures
POPULAR PRODUCTS
Lantor Soric XF (6mm, 25m² per roll) – High stiffness and durability
Lantor Soric LRC (1.5mm, 70m² per roll) – Lightweight option for smooth surfaces.
What is lantor coremat?
Lantor Coremat is a non-woven polyester core material designed to create controlled laminate thickness while reducing weight and resin consumption.
Unlike Soric, Coremat is particularly valued for its versatility across different manufacturing techniques, including hand lay-up, spray-up, and vacuum infusion.
Key Benefits of Lantor Coremat
- Consistent laminate thickness
- Easy handling during lay-up
- Compatible with multiple manufacturing methods
- Improved dimensional stability
- Good impact resistance
- Cost-effective solution for large parts
Typical Applications
Coremat is frequently used in:
- GRP mouldings
- Marine components
- Building products
- Sanitary ware
- Transport applications
- Industrial panels
POPULAR PRODUCTS
Lantor Coremat XM (2mm, 80m² per roll) – Consistent thickness and easy to use.
Lantor Coremat XM (10mm, 15m roll) – Suitable for applications requiring significant thickness
Soric vs Coremat: Understanding the Key Differences
1. Resin Flow Performance
One of the biggest differences between the two materials lies in resin distribution.
Soric was specifically developed to improve resin flow during vacuum infusion. Its internal structure creates channels that allow resin to travel quickly and evenly throughout the laminate.
Coremat can also be used in infusion processes but does not provide the same level of flow optimisation.
Winner: Lantor Soric
2. Weight Reduction
For manufacturers focused on lightweight structures, Soric generally offers better weight savings.
Its cellular structure creates stiffness without significantly increasing component weight, making it attractive for marine and automotive applications where reducing weight can improve performance and efficiency.
Winner: Lantor Soric
3. Thickness Control
Coremat excels when precise laminate thickness is required.
Because it provides highly consistent thickness throughout the part, it is often preferred in applications where dimensional accuracy is critical.
Winner: Lantor Coremat
4. Manufacturing Flexibility
If your workshop regularly uses hand lay-up or spray-up techniques, Coremat is often the more practical solution.
Soric performs exceptionally well in infusion manufacturing but may not offer the same flexibility across different production methods.
Winner: Lantor Coremat
5. Structural Performance
When the goal is to maximise stiffness with minimal weight increase, Soric generally outperforms Coremat.
This makes it especially popular in high-performance marine and transport applications.
Winner: Lantor Soric
Which Material Should You Choose?
Choose Lantor Soric If:
- You manufacture using vacuum infusion
- Weight reduction is a priority
- High stiffness is required
- You want improved resin distribution
- You are producing performance-focused composite structures
Choose Lantor Coremat If:
- Precise thickness control is critical
- You use hand lay-up production methods
- You need a versatile all-round core material
- Budget considerations are important
- Your application prioritises consistency over maximum stiffness
Typical Industry Recommendations
Marine Industry
Best Choice: Soric
Ideal for hulls, decks and structural components requiring excellent stiffness-to-weight performance.
Construction & Building Products
Best Choice: Coremat
Provides economical thickness control for large panels and moulded components.
Automotive & Transport
Best Choice: Soric
Offers excellent weight reduction while maintaining structural integrity.
General GRP Manufacturing
Best Choice: Coremat
Versatile, easy to use and suitable for multiple production methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Soric better than Coremat?
Not necessarily. Soric is typically preferred for vacuum infusion and lightweight structural applications, while Coremat is often selected for thickness control and manufacturing flexibility.
Can Soric and Coremat be used with polyester resin?
Yes. Both materials are compatible with polyester resin systems.
Which material uses less resin?
The answer depends on laminate design and manufacturing method. Soric improves resin distribution, while Coremat can help control laminate thickness and resin consumption.
Is Coremat suitable for vacuum infusion?
Yes. Coremat can be used in vacuum infusion processes, although Soric is generally considered the superior option for resin flow optimisation.
What industries commonly use Soric?
Marine, automotive, transport, industrial manufacturing and other lightweight composite applications.
Need Help Selecting the Right Composite Core Material?
Choosing between Lantor Soric and Lantor Coremat depends on your manufacturing process, structural requirements and budget.
Our composites specialists can help you identify the most suitable core material for your application and provide technical advice on resin compatibility, laminate design and processing methods.
Contact Tricel Composites today for expert guidance and competitive pricing on Lantor Soric and Coremat products.
Sources:
Lantor Coremat® XM images and Lantor Soric® XF & LRC images : Lantor Composites