Various industries incorporate a substantial amount of composite materials into their products. There are several advantages that are associated with utilizing these types of materials in manufacturing.  Composites are widely used to minimize the weight of aircraft, for instance, which has a direct and positive effect on fuel consumption and subsequent savings.

Light Weight

Composites are well known for being lightweight in comparison to most metals and woods. Their light weight is essential in aircraft and automobiles where a lower weight translates to an improvement in fuel efficiency.

When designing airplanes, people are primarily concerned about weight because reducing the weight of a craft means that the amount of fuel it requires will reduce and increase its speed. Various modern airplanes continue to be built with less metal and more composites.

Strength

It is possible to design composites to be stronger than steel or aluminum. Metals have similar strength in various directions but you can design and engineer composites for strength for a specified direction.

Strength and Weight

The strength to weight ratio refers to how strong a material is in terms of what it weighs. Materials such as steel are very heavy and strong while materials like bamboo poles can be light and strong. Composite materials are typically designed to be light and strong. This s a property that leads to composites being used in the process of building airplanes that require a lightweight and high strength material.

Composites can resist bending in a certain direction. For instance, when something has been built with metal and more strength is required in one direction, a thicker material adds weight. Composites have the ability to be strong and light. The exhibit a high strength to weight ration among structures currently. Learn more at Spartec Composites.

Resistance to Corrosion

Composites can resist damage that results from the weather as well as harsh chemicals that usually eat away other types of materials. They are worthwhile options when chemicals are being stored or handled. They stand up to vast temperature changes and severe weather outdoors.

Absorbing Impact

Composites can effectively absorb an impact such as a blast from an explosion or sudden effect of a bullet. Due to this property, they are often utilized in bulletproof panels and vests as wells as shielding military vehicles, buildings, and airplanes from explosions.

Flexibility

Composites are molded into complex shapes much more easily than other materials. Designers have the freedom and liberty to come up with virtually any form or shape. Some recreational boats, for instance, consist of fiberglass composites since the materials are easily molded to enhance the design of boats while reducing costs. Composite surfaces are also molded for the purpose of mimicking any surface texture or finish, from pebbles to smooth.

Consolidation of Parts

One piece that is made from composite materials can be used to replace a whole assembly of metal components. Minimizing the number of parts within structures or machines cuts down on maintenance and saves time.

Stability

Composites maintain their size and shape when dry or wet, cool or hot. On the other hand, wood has a tendency of shrinking and swelling when humidity changes. For situations that require consistent tight fits, composites are a good choice.