Composite material

A composite or composite material (also composition material) is a <a href="/facts/Material/Rmt5HySL">material</a> which is produced from two or more constituent materials. These constituent materials have notably dissimilar chemical or physical properties and are merged to create a material with properties unlike the individual elements. Within the finished structure, the individual elements remain separate and distinct, distinguishing composites from <a href="/facts/Mixture/tms8rbmn">mixtures</a> and <a href="/facts/Solid_solution/Mla7z8dc">solid solutions</a>. Composite materials with more than one distinct layer are called <a href="/facts/Composite_laminate/eVLFDseK">composite laminates</a>.
Typical engineered composite <a href="/facts/Materials/Rmt5HySL">materials</a> are made up of a <a href="/facts/Binding_agent/GBxjQF0U">binding agent</a> forming the matrix and a <a href="/facts/Filler_(materials)/wMmIePGc">filler material</a> (<a href="/facts/Particulate/RleGr5E6">particulates</a> or <a href="/facts/Fibre/ttkxAFBu">fibres</a>) giving substance, e.g.:

<ul><li><a href="/facts/Concrete/K6whGVNx">Concrete</a>, <a href="/facts/Reinforced_concrete/aUTUKAQF">reinforced concrete</a> and <a href="/facts/Masonry/TlaDzpUp">masonry</a> with cement, lime or <a href="/facts/Mortar_(masonry)/UsDMxYAh">mortar</a> (which is itself a composite material) as a binder</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Composite_wood/IhFuQoac">Composite wood</a> such as <a href="/facts/Glulam/c4gm1GzX">glulam</a> and <a href="/facts/Plywood/eM5WFvER">plywood</a> with <a href="/facts/Wood_glue/dQwg4a2d">wood glue</a> as a binder</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Reinforced_plastic/FeQEqIjX">Reinforced plastics</a>, such as <a href="/facts/Fiberglass/T6MtJ4ep">fiberglass</a> and <a href="/facts/Fibre-reinforced_polymer/FeQEqIjX">fibre-reinforced polymer</a> with <a href="/facts/Resin/r1uVThQ8">resin</a> or <a href="/facts/Thermoplastic/5KJB8dwN">thermoplastics</a> as a binder</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Ceramic_matrix_composite/zvty2Svr">Ceramic matrix composites</a> (<a href="/facts/Composite_armor/7ChAyoFA">composite ceramic and metal matrices</a>)</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Metal_matrix_composite/cWKqblzk">Metal matrix composites</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Advanced_composite_materials_(engineering)/z8UVN8vB">advanced composite materials</a>, often first developed for <a href="/facts/Spacecraft/YQqQaUw0">spacecraft</a> and <a href="/facts/Aircraft/EhC4mBep">aircraft</a> applications.</li></ul>
Composite materials can be less expensive, lighter, stronger or more durable than common materials. Some are inspired by biological structures found in plants and animals.
<a href="/facts/Robotic_materials/VcqpL0fs">Robotic materials</a> are composites that include sensing, actuation, computation, and communication components.
Composite materials are used for <a href="/facts/Construction/58eqDhy9">construction</a> and technical <a href="/facts/Structure/xQDPtqDQ">structures</a> such as <a href="/facts/Boat_hulls/hY6LxATt">boat hulls</a>, <a href="/facts/Swimming_pool/32DUFtdN">swimming pool</a> panels, <a href="/facts/Racing_car/0ErdCCV3">racing car</a> bodies, <a href="/facts/Shower/5WlBdgPp">shower</a> stalls, <a href="/facts/Bathtub/8808jPhL">bathtubs</a>, <a href="/facts/Storage_tank/Sb93f3Jz">storage tanks</a>, <a href="/facts/Imitation/rh2QNCGr">imitation</a> <a href="/facts/Granite/G2evuVKo">granite</a>, and <a href="/facts/Cultured_marble/4bLnxSdf">cultured marble</a> <a href="/facts/Sink/MQTNL1bh">sinks</a> and countertops. They are also being increasingly used in general automotive applications.

Composite material open-in-new

Composite material