Composite Materials (AQA GCSE Design & Technology): Revision Note

Composite materials

What is a composite?

• A composite is a material comprising two or more different materials, resulting in a new material with improved properties or performance characteristics

What is glass reinforced plastic (GRP)?

• Glass reinforced plastic (GRP) is

  •  a composite material where plastic resin and glass fibres (typically as a woven sheet of glass strands) are combined

  • also known as fibreglass

  • a resin (liquid) which is hardened through a chemical reaction to become a tough plastic

  • created by applying plastic resin to the inside or outside of a mould and adding layers of glass fibres along with more resin to create the composite

  • most commonly used for boat hulls, car body panels, storage containers and sports equipment

  • a material that is strong yet lightweight, corrosion resistant and can be relatively low cost whilst achieving complex shapes

What is carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CRP)?

• Carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CRP) is 

  • a composite material where plastic resin and carbon fibre (typically as a woven sheet of carbon strands) are combined

  • a resin hardened through a chemical reaction to become a tough plastic (like GRP)

  • created by applying plastic resin to a mould and adding layers of carbon fibres along with more resin

  • most commonly used for aerospace components, racing cars, high-performance bicycle frames and elite sports equipment

  • similar to GRP in being strong yet lightweight, but it is significantly stronger, allowing it to be even lighter in weight

  • significantly more expensive than GRP, but is ideal when the product needs to achieve maximum strength and minimum weight

What is a shared disadvantage of both GRP and CRP?

• Both GRP and CRP permanently combine two different materials, making them impossible to separate

• This makes both GRP and CRP difficult to recycle, and products at end of life are typically put into landfill or burned