1.0 Composites

Composites are made from combining two or more very different materials together to create a composite with optimised properties. Usually these two materials are a polymer matrix and a reinforcing agent such as a fibre.

Fibres carry load along their length, providing strength and stiffness in one direction and are arguably the strongest of all available structural materials. However, when subjected to compression and bending loads, the fibres become very weak. This is why fibres are embedded in a polymer matrix such as a cured resin. Not only does this resin act as an adhesive, binding the fibres together, but it supports the fibres, allowing them to absorb higher compressive loads. The resin also allows the transfer of shear stresses between the fibres, allowing them to work together. This means that external loads are more evenly distributed across the fibres in a composite when compared to a dry bundle. So, if one were to break, the load can still be distributed over the other fibres.