Technical

What is Composite?

The materials formed by combining two or more materials of same or different groups at the macro level, in order to combine the best properties together or to create new characteristic are called “composite materials”.

In other words, composite material are materials that have better mechanical properties which are formed by combining two or more materials with different physical and chemical properties. In this context, composite materials are far superior to the properties of their constituent materials.

Today, the production of composite materials, which have a very widespread use in almost every field from shipbuilding to building construction, from household appliances production to space technology, seems to have cost the last few hundred years, but its first examples are based on very old ages. One of the best examples of this is brick material. Straw and ivy branches introduced into clay mud in adobe production increase the resistance of the material both during production and during usage.

Composite materials transpire from a combination of reinforcing elements (e.g., fibers) and carrier matrices. These components do not dissolve or blend with each other. For example; The fibers are reinforcing elements of the composite structure and provide mechanical strength. The matrix is the main structure which keeps the fibers together, indirectly affects the formation of the mechanical structure by providing tension transfer between the fibers, and protects the fibers from physical and chemical external effects, resulting in a composite structure.

Today, most used composite material combinations in industrial applications are, glass fiber + polyester, carbon fiber + epoxy and aramid fiber + epoxy combinations.

Discover the advantages of FRP composite products!

The main superior properties of all composite materials are as follows;

  • Because it is a multi-component material, excessive design requirements can be supported.
  • Provides a weight reduction of 20% to 60%.
  • Usually their fixed and variable costs are low.
  • Their thermal expansion can be lowered.
  • Fatigue and fracture properties are good.
  • Resistance to corrosion is good.
  • Crash and damage tolerance is high.
  • According to classical materials, resistance is good in layered ones.
  • Manufacturing and assembly is easy.
  • Shaping of composites compared to forming of classical metals is about 5 times cheaper.
  • They are lightweight, which means the strength / weight ratio is high.
  • Easy and fast production is possible.
  • A wide variety of properties can be gained with additional additives.