Composites

Composites

a composite material consists of two or more materials with different properties. They are combined to produce a material with improved properties. Most composite materials have two components:

• the reinforcement
• the matrix, which binds the reinforcement together

Fiber glass and carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP)

• The fibres in these composite materials have a low density.
• They are strong in tension, so they are not easily stretched, but they are flexible.
• The polymer resin which binds the fibres together is not strong but it is stiff.
• The composite materials show a combination of these properties.
• They are strong, stiff and lightweight.

Chipboard

• Wood itself is a natural composite material. It consists of a reinforcement of cellulose fibres bonded together by a matrix of lignin.
• The fibres are aligned alongside each other, so wood is stronger in one direction than it is in the other.
• Chipboard contains randomly arranged wood chips bonded together by a glue, so it is strong in all directions.