ABSTRACT

The first generations of composite materials were developed before their full structural potential was appreciated. Typical applications have been the use of glass reinforced plastics for the construction of small boat hulls and architectural panels. In these applications the materials have been used mainly as replacements for traditional materials such as wood. In many cases, one of the main attractions of the processes was the reduced demand for highly skilled manpower. They were, however, labor-intensive in terms of hours. Subsequently, with the introduction of the high-performance fibers such as carbon (graphite), boron, and Kevlar®, 1 a new high technology has been developed, aimed especially at the aerospace and military industries. Costs here have been considered less important than ultimate technical performance.