composites

1. Glass-fibre reinforced polymers

Glass-fibre Reinforced Polymers (GRP), also called fibreglass, is a strong but lightweight material. It is made by weaving glass strands into a fabric and then coating them with polyester resin to harden.

To shape GRP, the glass fabric is placed in a mould, and resin is added. Once it hardens, more layers are added to increase strength. A smooth, colored finish is achieved using a special mould with a wax coating.

This method is great for making identical products in batches. GRP is commonly used for car bodies, water tanks, swimming pool slides, and boat hulls.

2. Carbon-fibre reinforced polymers

Carbon-fibre Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) is a strong but lightweight material with the best strength-to-weight ratio of any construction material. It is made by weaving high-strength carbon fibres and coating them with polymer resin.

CFRP is very rigid, resists stretching, and can handle high temperatures. It is widely used in aerospace to replace heavier metals. Other uses include marine, automotive, defense, sports, and leisure industries.

3. kevlar

Kevlar is a super-strong, lightweight material, best known for its use in bulletproof vests. It was invented in 1965 by chemist Stephanie Kwolek while developing lighter tyres.

Kevlar is made by combining special chemicals to create a stiff, heat-resistant fibre that is nine times stronger than nylon. When spun into threads and woven, it becomes a high-performance material.

On its own, Kevlar is not a composite, but when layered with resin, it becomes even stronger—20 times stronger than steel. It is commonly used in protective gear (PPE) for dangerous jobs.