Composites Defined

    All around us are items that make our lives easier, safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable.  Consider the items shown below.  Which of these items would be considered "composites"?

      The answer is easy...all of them!!  But, exactly WHAT IS A COMPOSITE?

    Now that you have learned the basic definition of a composite, you can begin to learn more about how composites are made and how manufacturers market items made from composites.  Use this page as your "Home Base" and return to it after visiting other links.  Answer all the questions on this page by searching for answers on other sites.  Here we go!!

    Begin your investigation by visiting the following link from the University of Delaware.  When you visit this site, you will find a link entitled "Introduction to Composites".  Run this Shockwave Movie and see what it has to teach you.  Also, read through the text on the page and answer the following questions in your notes.  Use full sentences and discuss your answer fully.

1)  Why are composites made and used in our world?
2)  Why were composites first made?
3)  Name a few other manufacturing industries that use composites.
4)  Name a few "Natural Composites".
 
 

    As you have read, composites are made from a variety of materials.  The world of Materials Science is a fast growing discipline that brings us new products everyday.  Visit each of the following sites and provide a basic summary of what you learned about each type of material composite.  Answer these four questions for each section in your summary.
 

                    1)  What is the basic material for this type of composite?
                    2)  What special properties does the composite have?
                    3)  What products are made from this type of composite?
                    4)  When did these materials come into existence?

Polymers--Read this description of polymers and see where we find these types of composites.  There is a way cool link to visit on this site!  Also, visit the link to the Timeline for this material.

Metals--Exactly what are metals and how do we use them in our world of composites?

Ceramics--Say What?  Yes!  Ceramics are a very important part of our world.  Check this out to see how.

Concrete--This is one of the most important uses of composites in our world.  See why.

Carbon Fibers and Graphite--Read the first few parts of this webpage and learn about carbon fibers and graphite.  Then, visit this next link and skim the top section, then scroll down the page to learn about the many Carbon Fiber Products made by companies all over the world.

    To find out more about Composites in our world, visit these links and browse through them to see how companies find more and more applications for composites.  Summarize some of your cool findings!

Glass-Fiber Composites in Chicago--Check out this site to see what is going on in our very own city through the help of composites.

Wood Composite on a bridge at a golf course--Another example of composites here in Illinois.

Wrapping of supports for highway overpasses in California--It's a good thing these guys know how to make strong roads to keep us safe.

About.Com--List of many, many applications.

Composites in the News--Here is an article from a journal that also lists the latest breaking news on composites in our world.  A good link to see if you want to know more about who makes these composites and for what purpose.