Composite Materials
Design & Technology: AQA GCSE, topic 1.3.4
Composite Materials
Composite materials are enhanced materials. They are made by combining two or more different materials. Examples include glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) and carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CRP).
Glass-reinforced plastic (GRP)
- Glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) is glass fibre matting covered in a smooth resin which sets rigid with a gloss finish.
- This material can be easily coloured and complex shapes can be formed.
- Glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) is lightweight, waterproof, chemically resistant, corrosion-resistant, heat resistant and has a good strength to weight ratio.
Uses of GRP
- This material is widely used in boat hulls, car bodies, storage tanks and seating.
- However, the material is very labour intensive to produce.
Carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP)
- Carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) is cloth woven matting with individual interlacing strands that provides an aesthetically pleasing pattern.
- This carbon fibre can be coloured, arranged in different patterns and decorated with decals.
- CFRP is strong, waterproof, expensive, chemically resistant, corrosion-resistant, heat resistant and has a good strength to weight ratio.
Uses of CFRP
- This material is widely used in sports cars, supercars, sports equipment, boats, musical instruments and prosthetics.
- However, the material is very labour intensive to produce.
Test yourself on Composite Materials
What does GRP stand for?
Which is a use of carbon fibre reinforced plastic but not of glass reinforced plastic?