composite material

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composite material

A scientist examines a composite material sample under bright laboratory lights.

Definition

Noun: 1. A strong, lightweight engineered material: A composite material is a substance created in a laboratory or industrial setting by chemically or physically bonding together two or more distinct constituent materials. These constituents, often fibers and a matrix, combine to produce a material with properties superior to those of the individual components alone, typically characterized by high strength and low weight.

Usage and Examples

  • General Use:

    • The aircraft's wings are made from a carbon-fiber composite material.
    • Engineers are developing new composite materials for use in electric vehicles to improve efficiency.

  • Describing Properties:

    • The key advantage of a composite material is its high strength-to-weight ratio.
    • This composite material is resistant to both corrosion and extreme temperatures.
Advanced Usage

  • "Advanced composite material": Refers to composites using high-performance fibers (like carbon, aramid, or boron) in a matrix, often used in aerospace and high-tech applications.

    • The fighter jet's fuselage is constructed from advanced composite materials.

  • Conceptual Use: The term can be used metaphorically to describe something made from disparate elements.

    • The city's culture is a composite material of traditions from around the world.
Variants and Related Words

  • Composite (noun/adjective): The shorter form often used to refer to or describe a composite material.

    • The part is molded from a carbon composite. (noun)
    • The composite structure proved to be very durable. (adjective)

  • Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP): A common type of composite material where fibers (e.g., glass, carbon) are embedded in a polymer resin matrix.

  • Laminate: A product made by bonding layers of material, which can be a type of composite.

Synonyms
  • Engineered material
  • Hybrid material
  • Reinforced material
Related Concepts (Not Phrasal Verbs or Idioms)
  • Matrix: The surrounding material in a composite that binds the fibers or particles together.
  • Reinforcement: The strong constituent (e.g., fibers, particles) embedded in the matrix to provide strength.
  • Bonding: The process of joining the different constituents together.
composite material

A scientist examines a composite material sample under bright laboratory lights.

Noun
  1. strong lightweight material developed in the laboratory; fibers of more than one kind are bonded together chemically