Composite material

Composite material is a material made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties that, when combined, produce a material with characteristics different from the individual components. The individual components remain separate and distinct within the finished structure, differentiating composites from mixtures and solid solutions.

History

The earliest man-made composite materials were straw and mud combined to form bricks for building construction. Ancient brick-making was documented by Egyptian tomb paintings.

Examples

Composite materials are generally used for buildings, bridges, and structures such as boat hulls, swimming pool panels, racing car bodies, shower stalls, bathtubs, storage tanks, imitation granite and cultured marble sinks and countertops.

Types

Composite materials include the following types:

• Polymer Matrix Composites (PMCs)
• Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs)
• Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs)

Advantages

Composite materials offer higher specific strength and stiffness than other conventional materials.

Disadvantages

The main disadvantage of composite materials is their high cost.

See also

• Material science
• Polymer
• Ceramic
• Metal

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