Composites

Composites

composite material is composed of two or more different materials

• carbon fibre CFRP

• glass fibre GRP

• medium density fibre board MDF

• hardboard

• chipboard

• plywood

Carbon fibre CFRP

Carbon fibre mixed with polyester resin

• lightweight

• corrosion resistant

• tough

• hard

• good compressive strength

• low thermal expansion

• used for sports equipment, bicycle frames, tennis racquets, racing car bodies, fishing rods, helments, prosthetics

Glass reinforced plastic GRP

glass fibres mixed with polyester resin 

• lightweight

• corrosion resistant 

• tough

• hard

• low thermal expansion

• good compressive strength 

• used for boat hulls, pond liners, kayak shells, sports car bodies

MDF

compressed wood fibers 

• two smooth surfaces 

• available in standard grade or veneers

• good strength in all directions (bc of parallel grains)

• easy to cut and shape

• used for model, moul making, furniture items, cabinets, desks, flat pack furniture

Hardboard

• one hard shiny smooth surface

• does not split easy

• tough

• used for furniture inserts (wardrobe backings, drawer bases, pef board, clipboards)

Chipboard

• good strength in all directions 

• easy to cut but can chip on a cut edge

• not attractive in basic form

• used as veneers, kitchen worktops, shelving, flat pack furniture 

Plywood

• good strength in all directions

• no grain weakness

• always an odd number of layers

• tough 

• used for structural work, desktops, indoor furniture, floorboards