Composites

Fibre reinforced polymers (FRPs) are predominantly made of synthetic fibres, such as glass or carbon, and a petrochemically sourced thermosetting resin or thermoplastic matrix. However, natural fibres and resins are on the rise because of their beneficial properties, competitive cost, legislative drivers, and consumer preferences.

Ceramic Metal Composites (CMC) and Metal Matrix Composites (MMC) are not new concepts, but they have never reached their potential. To date, a wide range of particles and whiskers have been used in these matrices, but the advantages have been questionable, applications limited, and manufacturing challenges difficult.

It is hard to avoid the topic of the automotive sector within the composite industry, but of late there has been a shift in the rhetoric from when the large uptake will happen to whether it will happen at all.

Ceramic Metal Composites (CMC) and Metal Matrix Composites (MMC) are not new concepts, but they have never reached their potential.

Nearly all the advocates of fibre reinforced polymers (FRP) shy away from talking about the many elephants in the room and there are enough of them that is beyond crowded.

It is easy to look at an industry like composites and quickly dismiss it as slow-moving and of no real interest to you or your company, but the chances are you would be wrong.