1.4 Composites

What are all the different types of Composites?

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

• A man-made wood based composite material is also called a manufactured board

• Carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP)

• Glass reinforced plastic (GRP)

• Medium density fibreboard (MDF)

• Hardboard

• Chipboard

• Plywood

Carbon fibre reinforced plastic - CFRP (Composition, Properties, Uses)

Composition:

• Carbon fibres mixed with polyester resin

Properties:

• Lightweight, corrosion resistant, tough, hard, good compressive strength, low thermal expansion

Uses:

• Sports equipment such as bicycle frames, tennis racquets, fishing rods, racing car bodies and parts, helmets, prosthetics

Glass reinforced plastic - GRP (Composition, Properties, Uses)

Composition:

• Glass fibres mixed with polyester resin

Properties:

• Lightweight, corrosion resistant, tough, hard, low thermal expansion, good compressive strength

Uses:

• Boat hulls, pond liners, kayak shells, sports car bodies and parts, locomotive train cabs

Medium density fibreboard - MDF (Composition, Properties, Uses)

Composition:

• Compressed wood fibres (although sometimes urea formaldehyde is added as an additional resin)

Properties:

• MDF has two smooth faces, available in either standard grade or veneered with a layer of timber. Good strength in all directions, easy to cut and shape

Uses:

• Model or mould making, furniture items such as bookcases, cabinets and desks and ‘flat pack’ furniture

Hardboard (Composition, Properties, Uses)

Composition:

• Compressed wood fibres

Properties:

• One hard shiny smooth surface, does not split easily, tough

Uses:

• Furniture inserts such as wardrobe backings, drawer bases, peg boards, clipboards

Chipboard (Composition, Properties, Uses)

Composition:

• Wood chips compressed with a resin such as urea formaldehyde

Properties:

• Good strength in all directions, easy to cute but can chip on a cut edge, not generally attractive in basic form

Uses:

• Often veneered or covered with polymer laminate, kitchen worktops and units, shelving and ‘flat pack’ furniture

Plywood (Composition. Properties, Uses)

Composition:

• Thin layered of wood placed at 90 degrees to each other and compressed. Sometimes urea formaldehyde is added as an additional resin

Properties:

• Good strength in all directions, no grain weakness, always has an odd number of layers, tough

Uses:

• Structural work, desktops, indoor, furniture, floorboards