Definitions
A material made from two or more distinct materials that remain separate at a macroscopic level
Composite material
The force transfer mechanism from matrix to fibres in a fibre-reinforced composite
Shear forces at the matrix–fibre interface
Concrete is an example of this type of composite
Particle-reinforced composite
A reason composites are used in bicycle frames
Lightweight and strong
The type of failure where fibres pull out of the matrix
Fibre pull-out failure
The component in a composite that binds the structure together and transfers load
The effect of aligning fibres parallel to the applied force
Maximum tensile strength and stiffness
Carbon fibre reinforced polymer belongs to this class of composites
Fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP)
An advantage of composites in aerospace engineering
High strength-to-weight ratio / fuel efficiency
Why cracks in composites often stop rather than propagate easily
Crack energy is absorbed at matrix–fibre boundaries
The strong component of a composite that provides most of the tensile strength
Reinforcement (fibres)
Why composites are often anisotropic
Their properties depend on fibre direction
A composite where particles, not fibres, provide reinforcement
Particle-reinforced composite
Why composites are used in wind turbine blades
High stiffness, low mass, and fatigue resistance
A major disadvantage of composites compared to metals
Brittle failure / high cost / difficult repair (any one)
A composite made by embedding fibres within a matrix material
Fibre-reinforced composite
What happens to a composite’s strength if fibres are poorly bonded to the matrix
Reduced strength due to fibre pull-out / inefficient load transfer
A composite commonly used in construction where steel improves tensile strength.
✅ Reinforced concrete
A disadvantage that limits composite use in high-temperature environments
Matrix materials soften or degrade at high temperatures
Why composites may fail suddenly without plastic deformation
They are brittle and lack a yield region
A key reason composites are often preferred over pure metals in engineering applications
High strength-to-weight ratio (also acceptable: corrosion resistance)
Why fibre length affects the effectiveness of reinforcement
Fibres must exceed a critical length to transfer stress effectively
The composite commonly used in aircraft wings due to its high strength-to-weight ratio
Carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP)
Why composites are harder to recycle than metals
They consist of bonded different materials that are difficult to separate
The main safety concern when composites fail in structural applications
Sudden catastrophic failure with little warning