**Table 8.**

*Properties of several fibre-reinforced polymer composites.*

stability. In addition, they offer a high strength-to-weight ratio and increased heat resistance. Composites have very different properties and applications depending on the type of matrix, reinforcement, ratio between them, formulations, processing etc. The bonding strength between fibre and polymer matrix in the composite is

Vinylester + kevlar fibre 1.35 — 500.0 40.0

*Introduction to Composite Materials DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91285*

considered one of the major factors in order to obtain superior fibre reinforcement polymer composite properties. Typical properties of several polymer composites are presented in **Table 8** [57–71].

The growth of the composites market can be attributed to increased uses in the aerospace, defence, and transportation applications. The global composite materials market is expected to reach an estimated \$40.2 billion by 2024, and it is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 3.3% from 2019 to 2024. The global composite product market is expected to reach an estimated \$114.7 billion by 2024 [72].

## **5. Composite applications**

The most widely used form of fibre-reinforced polymer is a laminar structure, made by stacking and bonding thin layers of fibre and polymer until the desired thickness is obtained. By changing the fibre orientation among layers in the laminate structures, a specified level of anisotropy in composite properties can be achieved. Composites offer many benefits such as corrosion resistance, light weight, strength, lower material costs, improved productivity, design flexibility, and durability. Therefore, the wide range of industries uses composite materials and some of their common applications [3, 15].

#### **5.1 Aerospace**

The major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as Airbus and Boeing have shown the potential of using composite materials for large-scale applications in aviation. NASA is continually looking to composite manufacturers for innovative approaches and space solutions for rockets and other spacecrafts. Composites with thermoset are being specified for bulkheads, fuselages, wings, and other applications in commercial, civilian, and military aerospace applications. There are several other applications of composites in the areas such as air-foil surfaces, antenna structures, compressor blades, engine bay doors, fan blades, flywheels, helicopter transmission structures, jet engines, radar, rocket engines, solar reflectors, satellite structures, turbine blades, turbine shafts, rotor shafts in helicopters, wing box structures, etc. [3, 15, 26, 37]

#### **5.2 Appliance/business**

Composite materials offer flexibility in design and processing; therefore composite materials can be used as alternatives for metal alloys in appliances. Unlike most other industries, trends within the appliance segment move quite quickly. In addition, design and function are subject to both technology advancements and changing consumer taste. Composite materials are being used in appliance and business equipment such as equipment panels, frames, handles and trims in appliances, power tools, and many other applications. Composites are being utilised for the appliance industry in dishwashers, dryers, freezers, ovens, ranges, refrigerators, and washers. The components in the equipment that were utilised composites include consoles, control panels, handles, kick plates, knobs, motor housings, shelf brackets, side trims, vent trims, and many others [3, 73].

#### **5.3 Architecture**

With their aesthetic qualities, functionality, and versatility, the composite materials are becoming the material of choice for architectural applications.

stability. In addition, they offer a high strength-to-weight ratio and increased heat resistance. Composites have very different properties and applications depending on the type of matrix, reinforcement, ratio between them, formulations, processing etc. The bonding strength between fibre and polymer matrix in the composite is

**Table 8.**

**20**

*Properties of several fibre-reinforced polymer composites.*

**Composite Density**

**(g/cm**<sup>3</sup> **)**

*Composite and Nanocomposite Materials - From Knowledge to Industrial Applications*

ABS + 30% glass fibre — 2.0 60.0 9.0 Acetal copolymer + 30% glass fibre — 3.0 110.0 9.5 Epoxy + 40–60% carbon fibre 1.15–2.25 0.4–11.0 4.6–3220.0 2.6–520.0 Epoxy + 45% flax yarn-aligned — — 133.0 28.0 Epoxy + 40% glass fibre —— — — Epoxy + 52% jute fibre — — 216.0 31.0 Epoxy + 52% kevlar fibre — — 434.0 28.2 PEEK + 62% carbon fibre 1.60 — 750.0 50.0 PEEK + kevlar fibre 1.31–1.50 1.0–6.0 75.0–193.0 4.0–20.7 Nylon 66 + 25–30% carbon fibre 1.20–1.57 0.90–4.0 193.0–261.0 16.0–33.1 Nylon 6 + 40% glass fibre 1.45 2.0–3.0 235.0 12.9 Nylon + kevlar fibre 1.16 4.0 110.0 9.0 PLA + 30% abaca fibre — — 74.0 8.0 PLA + 20% bamboo fibre — — 90.0 1.8 PLA + 30% flax fibre — — 53.0–100.0 8.0 PF + E glass fibre 1.5–1.65 — 85.0–330.0 5.0–17.0 Polycarbonate + 5–40% carbon fibre 1.15–1.43 0.9–118.0 46.0–186.0 2.1–25.5 Polycarbonate + 30–40% glass fibre 1.44–1.52 4.0 107.0–159.0 10.0–11.6 Polycarbonate-ABS + 30% glass fibre 1.29 — 82.7 — Polyimide + 20–30% carbon fibre 1.38–1.68 0.8–5.5 36.5–241.0 4.5–29.0 Polyimide + glass fibre — 2.0 150.0 12.0 PP + 30% carbon fibre 1.07 1.0 117.0 16.2 PP + 30% cotton fibre — — 58.5 4.1 PP + 20% glass-chopped strand mat — — 77.0 5.4 PP + 20% glass fibre 1.03 3.0–4.0 100.0 4.3 PP + 40% glass fibre 1.22 2.0 127.0 7.6 PP-MAgPP + 40% hemp fibre — — 52.0 4.0 UPE + 35% jute fibre — — 50.0 8.0 UPE + 47% glass fibre — — 201.0 13.0 Vinylester + carbon fibre 1.50–1.65 1.4 900.0–1200.0 136.0 Vinylester + 24% flax fibre — — 248.0 24.0 Vinylester + 59% glass fibre — — 483.0 33.0 Vinylester + kevlar fibre 1.35 — 500.0 40.0

**Elongation (%)**

**Tensile strength (MPa)**

**Young's modulus (GPa)** Composite materials allow architects to create designs that are impractical or impossible with traditional materials, improve thermal performance and energy efficiency of building materials, and meet building code requirements. Composite materials also offer design flexibility and can be moulded into complex shapes. They can be corrugated, curved, ribbed, or contoured in a variety of ways with varying thickness. Further, a traditional look such as copper, chrome or gold, marble, and stone can be achieved at a fraction of the cost using composite materials. Therefore, the architecture community is experiencing substantial growth in the understanding and use of composites in commercial and residential buildings [15].

including arc and track resistance, thermoset components include. Applications and components include arc chutes, arc shields, bus supports and lighting components, circuit breakers, control system components, metering devices, microwave antennas, motor controls, standoff insulators, standoffs and pole line hardware and printed wiring boards, substation equipment, switchgear, terminal blocks, and ter-

Material technology has grown from the early days of glass fibres as major reinforcements for composite material to carbon fibres which are lighter and stronger. The advancements in composites, particularly those from the US Department of Energy, are redefining the energy industry. Composites help enable the use of wind and solar power and improve the efficiency of traditional energy suppliers.

Just like in the other engineering areas, the main struggle of naval architecture is to achieve a structure as light as possible. The marine industry uses composites to help make hulls lighter and more damage-resistant. With their corrosion resistance and light-weighting attributes, marine composite applications include boat hulls, bulkheads, deck, mast, propeller, and other components for military, commercial, and recreational boats and ships. Composites can be found in many more areas of a maritime vessel, including interior mouldings and furniture on super yachts

The fibre-reinforced composite materials possess some excellent characteristics, including easy moulding, high elastic modulus, high strength, light in weight, good corrosion resistance, and so on. Therefore, fibre-reinforced composite materials have extensive applications in production the manufacturing of sports equipment. From bicycle frames, bobsleds fishing poles, football helmets, hockey sticks, horizontal bars, jumping board, kayaks, parallel bars, props, tennis rackets, to rowing, carbon fibres, and fibreglass composite materials help athletes reach their highest performance capabilities and provide durable and lightweight equipment [3, 80].

Composites have many advantages; a wide range of material combinations can be used in composites, which allows for design flexibility. The composites also can be easily moulded into complicated shapes. The materials can be custom tailored to fit unique specifications. Composites are light in weight compared to most woods and metals and lower density as compared to many metals. They are stronger than

some other materials. The materials resist damage from weather and harsh

Composite materials offer wind manufacturers strength and flexibility in processing with the added benefit of a lightweight components and products [3, 76]. The wind industry has set installation records over the last couple years. According to the Global Wind Energy Council, the trend for this industry may continue with global wind capacity predicted to double in the next few years. Composites play a vital role in the manufacture of structures such as wind turbine

minal boards [3, 75].

*Introduction to Composite Materials*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91285*

**5.8 Energy**

blades [3, 77].

**5.9 Marine**

[3, 78, 79].

**6. Summary**

**23**

**5.10 Sports and recreation**

### **5.4 Automotive and transportation**

The automotive industry is no stranger to composites. This is one of the largest markets for composite materials. Weight reduction is the greatest advantage of composite material usage. A lower-weight vehicle or truck is more fuel-efficient because it requires less fuel to propel itself forward. In addition to enabling ground breaking vehicle designs, composites help make vehicles lighter and more fuel efficient. The composite materials are used in bearing materials, bodies, connecting rod, crankshafts, cylinder, engines, piston, etc. While fibre-reinforced polymers such as CFRP in cars get most of the attention, composites also play a big role in increasing fuel efficiency in trucks and transport systems. A number of US state Departments of Transportation are also using composite to reinforce the bridges those trucks travel on [3, 26, 37].

## **5.5 Construction and infrastructure**

Construction is one of the largest markets for composites globally. The composites can be made to have a very high strength and ideal construction materials. Thermoset composites are replacing many traditional materials for home and offices' architectural components including doors, fixtures, moulding, roofing, shower stalls, swimming pools, vanity sinks, wall panels, and window frames. Composites are used all over the world to help construct and repair a wide variety of infrastructure applications, from buildings and bridges to roads, railways, and pilings [3, 74].

#### **5.6 Corrosive environments**

Products made from composite materials provide long-term resistance to severe chemical conditions and temperature environments. Composites are often the material of choice for applications in chemical handling applications, corrosive environments, outdoor exposure, and other severe environments such as chemical processing plants, oil and gas refineries, pulp and paper converting, and water treatment facilities. Common applications include cabinets, ducts, fans, grating, hoods, pumps, and tanks [3, 37, 73]. Fibre-reinforced polymer composite pipes are used for everything from sewer upgrades and wastewater projects to desalination, oil, and gas applications. When corrosion becomes a problem with pipes made with traditional materials, fibre-reinforced polymer is a solution [3, 73].

#### **5.7 Electrical**

With the rapid growth of the electronics industry, and with strong dielectric properties including arc and track resistance, the composite materials are finding more and more in electronic applications. With strong dielectric properties

### *Introduction to Composite Materials DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91285*

including arc and track resistance, thermoset components include. Applications and components include arc chutes, arc shields, bus supports and lighting components, circuit breakers, control system components, metering devices, microwave antennas, motor controls, standoff insulators, standoffs and pole line hardware and printed wiring boards, substation equipment, switchgear, terminal blocks, and terminal boards [3, 75].
