COMPOSITES

Among the major developments in materials in recent years Offer several outstanding properties as compared to conventional materials.

Definition
Material composed of two or more different materials, with the properties of the resultant material being superior to the properties of the individual materials that make up the composite.

Product of Composite
Composite materials have found increasingly wider applications in aircraft, space vehicles, offshore structure, piping, electronics, automobiles, boats and etc.

Types of Composite Materials

Laminar or Layered
Distinct layers of material bonded together in some manner. Such as : thin coatings, thicker protective surfaces, laminates, sandwiches and others. Ex: plywood laminate material

Particulate
Discrete particles of one material surrounded by a matrix of another material Ex: concrete sand and gravel particles surrounded by cement.

Fiber-reinforced
The most popular type of composite material Continuous or discontinuous thin fibers (serat) of one material are embedded in a matrix of another The matrix supports and transmits forces to the fibers which protects them from the environment and handling and provides ductility and toughness.

Ex: automobiles tires now use fibers of nylon, rayon, aramid (Kevlar) or steel in various numbers and orientation to reinforce the rubber and provide added strength and durability.