Composite Materials
Contents
Key Stage 3
Meaning
A composite material is one made from two or more different materials using properties of both to make it more useful for an application.
About Composite Material
- Any clothes made of more than one fabric is a composite material.
- Buildings made from steel and concrete are composite materials.
Key Stage 4
Meaning
A composite material is one made from two or more different materials using properties of both to make it more useful for an application.
Applications and Properties
| Application | Composite | Properties |
| Pillars | Reinforced Concrete (Concrete and Steel) | Hard - Does not break easily when struck.
Strong - Does not change shape when a force is applied. Resistant to Bending - The steel prevents it from breaking even after a slight bend. |
| Car Bodies | Carbon Fiber (Graphite fibers and resin) | Strong - Does not stretch easily under a force.
Hard - Does not break easily under a force. Can be set - The Graphite fibres are flexible so can be molded around any shape and only set after the resin is added. |