Composites
Chemistry: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 10.3.6
Composites
Composites are made by embedding a material known as the reinforcement (fibres or fragments) into the matrix (material that surrounds the reinforcement, acting as a binder). Some examples of composites are:
Fibreglass
- The matrix is a polymer.
- The reinforcement is glass fibres.
Concrete
- The matrix is cement.
- The reinforcement is a combination of sand and gravel.
Carbon fibre
- The matrix is a polymer.
- The reinforcement is carbon fibres or carbon nanotubes.
Test yourself on Composites
What two materials are composites made from?
What is fibreglass made of?
What two materials make up the reinforcement in concrete?
What are the roles of the matrix and reinforcement in a composite material?
How do concrete, fibreglass and carbon fibre compare?