1.2 Composites

CFRP

Carbon fibre reinforced plastic - CF mixed with polyester resin or epoxy resin

CFRP properties

lightweight, corrosion resistant, tough, hard, good compressive strength, low thermal expansion

CFRP uses

sports equipment like bike frames, tennis rackets, fishing rods, racing car bodies, helmets, prosthetics

GRP

Glass fibres mixed with polyester resin

GRP properties

lightweight, corrosion resistant, tough, hard, low thermal expansion, good compressive strength

GRP uses

boat hulls, pond liners, kayak shells, sports car bodies, train cabs

tungsten carbide

mixture of ceramic tungsten and colbalt metal

Tungsten carbide properties

Hard, tough, resistant to high temperatures, corrosion resistant.

tungsten carbide uses

Cutting tools such as drill bits, lathe tool tips, router bits, kitchen knives

Aluminium composite board

Aluminium sheets with a polyethylene core

Aluminium composite board properties

Lightweight, rigid, tough, malleable, good thermal and sound insulation, good vibration damping.

Aluminium composite board uses

Soundproofing panels in cars, buildings and boats, signage

Concrete

cement powder, sand, aggregate particles mixed with water

concrete properties

High compression strength, low tensile strength, few surface defects, easy to mould.

concrete uses

Pathways, beams, blocks, driveways, house foundations

reinforced concrete

all concrete things PLUS low carbon steel rods

reinforced concrete properties

high compression and tensile strength, consistency across the structure, few surface defects, fire resistant.

reinforced concrete uses

Buildings, bridge piles and bridge spans, retaining walls, grid floors

Fibre cement

cement stuff and polymer or steel fibres

fibre cement properties

Lighter in weight than reinforced concrete, hard, tough, good at low temperatures and freeze/thaw situations.

fibre cement uses

Suspended floors, complex geometric shapes, pathways

engineered wood eg glulam

glued laminated timber and MF adhesive

Engineered wood properties

Good aesthetics, natural alternative to reinforced concretes, more lightweight than concrete alternatives, fire resistant, good structural stability, corrosion proof.

Engineered wood uses

Beams, bridges, domes, arches, decking, roof beams, rafters