ABSTRACT
A composite material is a material consisting of two or more distinct parts. By this broad definition, nearly all materials occurring in nature can be classified as a composite material. Even atoms can be considered a composite being composed of electrons, protons, and neutrons. A narrower definition of a composite material is one where two or more chemically distinct and mechanically separable materials, on the macroscale, having a distinct interface separating them, are combined to give desirable overall properties. For example, concrete and steel are combined to form reinforced concrete taking advantage of the high compressive strength of concrete and the high tensile strength of steel. In the case of advanced composite materials, the matrix or fiber materials alone have a limited structural value. The matrix of a composite serves to bind reinforcement together to form a composite structure and protect reinforcement from physical damage and chemical attack, while the fibers provide strength and stiffness. Therefore, the combination of fiber and matrix materials provides a synergistic effect on the overall mechanical properties.
