A composite is a mixture of two or more constituents together. These constituents have mostly dissimilar physical or chemical properties and are combined to produce a solid material having the similar properties as the constituent parts. composites are commonly used in rockets, aircraft and automobiles because of their lightweight construction, ease of transportation and space saving. In fact, composites are so common that most modern day buildings are made up of a mixture of various composites.
The first component to be mixed was the cement. Cement composites were commonly used as street furniture and street rails. Cement composites have since evolved into different products such as drywall and other wall components. All these products are manufactured from a mixture of cement and polymers. Polymer composites are also widely used in automobile and aeronautical products.
Other components of composites are plastics and thermoset polymers. Plastics are generally used as composites for structural components as they are light weight and inexpensive. Thermoset polymers are also used frequently in composites because they can be formed into a wide range of shapes. Almost every type of composite can be made from a polymer.
The composition of composites come in many forms. Glass fiber composites come in many shapes and sizes. There are fiberglass composites that are strong and flexible, but cannot withstand the pressure of impact. Plastic composites come in sheets and rolls as well as in particles. Some composites come in synthetic form and many others are natural composites, which means that they are created by reacting different elements within the earth.
Many industries utilize composites. Many building materials are made from composites because they are less expensive and more flexible than steel or timber and require less maintenance. With the use of composites, it is possible to produce stronger, lighter, more durable components for a variety of purposes.
Most composites are designed to be impact resistant. They are tested for this ability first, before the component is manufactured. This testing is done using a variety of methods. Some method involves injecting chemicals into the part or burning the material, both of which are harmful if the composites come into contact with the human body. Standard quality control checks include tensile testing, hardness testing, strain testing, etc. If the component passes the tests, then it is ready to be used.
The most common use for composites is as roofing materials, though, due to their resilience, they are used in a wide variety of other applications. In addition, composites have become popular as toys, making them even more appealing to children. They can be found in many styles, colors and designs, allowing a child to construct their own version of a toy car, truck, aircraft, robot, or dinosaur. Another place for composites to find a home is in architecture. They may be used to strengthen the frames of buildings and bridges, while providing lightweight structural support.
Since the 1970’s, composites have played an important role in how construction projects are carried out. Modern technology has continued to develop and improve the quality of composites, allowing them to be used for a broader range of applications. Many engineers, architects, and designers have created structures and furniture that are entirely composed of composites. This represents a vast leap forward in the history of mankind, when the use of man-made components became commonplace instead of costly efforts.
