Composites

Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP)

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

Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastic (GRP)

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

Tungsten carbide

Tough, hard, corrosion resistant, resistant to high temperatures

Aluminium composite board

Tough, malleable, rigid, lightweight, good thermal and sound insulation, good vibration damping

Concrete

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

Reinforced concrete

High compression and tensile strength, consistency across structure, few surface defects, fire resistant

Fibre cement

Tough, hard, lighter than reinforced concrete, good at low temperatures

Engineered wood e.g. Glulam

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