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Composites are made from two or more distinct materials that when combined are better (stronger, tougher, and/or more durable) than each would be separately.
The word usually refers to the fiber-reinforced metal, polymer, and ceramic materials that were originally developed for aerospace use in the 1950s. Although composites are a "high-technology" development, to some extent
they mimic the features of living organisms such as the microstructures
of wood and bioceramics like mollusk shells. The fibers and matrix of advanced
composites may be combined using a variety of fabrication processes, with
the choice depending on the desired alignment of fibers, the number of
parts to be produced, the size and
An Example of a Natural CompositeAs mentioned above, composites do occur in nature--e.g., in tree trunks, spider webs, and mollusk shells. A tree is a good example of a natural composite, consisting of cellulose (the fibrous material) and lignin (a natural polymer) forming the woody cell walls and the cementing (reinforcing) material between them. |
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of the parts, and so on. Perhaps best known for their use in aerospace
applications, advanced composites are also used by the automotive,
biomedical, and sporting goods markets. In addition, these
strong, stiff, lightweight materials are seeing increased use in the rehabilitation,
repair, and retrofit of civil infrastructure--including, for example,
as replacement bridge decks and wrapping for concrete columns.
