composites

Define and explain what a composite is

A composite is a material compromised of two or more different materials resulting in a material with enhanced properties

CFRP (carbon fibres mixed with polyester resin)

• Used for sports equipment (bicycle frames, tennis rackets), racing car bodies, helmets

• Lightweight

• Corrosion resistant

• Good compressive strength

GRP (glass fibres mixed with polyester resin)

• Used for boat hulls, pond liners, kayak shells

• Corrosion resistant

• Low thermal expansion (material doesn’t change size much when exposed to changes in temperature)

• Tough

Tungsten carbide (a cermet, mixture of ceramic and metal)

• Used for cutting tools such as drill bits, lathe tool tips, kitchen knives

• Resistant to high temperatures

• Corrosion resistant

• Hard and tough

Aluminium composite board

• Used for sound-proofing panels in cars, building and boats

• Malleable

• Good thermal and sound insulation

• Good vibration damping

Concrete

• Used for pathways, beams, house foundations

• High compression strength

• Few surface defects

• Easy to mould

Reinforced concrete

Used for buildings, bridge piles, retaining walls

High compression and tensile strength

Consistency across the structure

Fire resistant

Fibre cement

Used for suspended floors, pathways

Good at low temperatures

Lighter in weight than reinforced concrete

Engineered wood

Used for beams, bridges, decking

Fire resistant

Good structural stability

Corrosion proof