Thermoplastic Composites: An Alternative to Metallic Materials

Because of their outstanding properties, thermoplastic composites are increasingly valuable as metal substitutes in many fields. The goal is to develop lighter, less-fueled vehicles that emit less carbon dioxide.

  Benefits of composite materials:

  Composite materials are 50% lighter than steel and 30% lighter than aluminum, are very strong and have many applications in the marine and transportation industries.

   Composites consist of three elements:

  1. Reinforced charge: An armature, usually made of carbon fiber or glass fiber, that concentrates most of the mechanical properties of the finished part.

  2. Matrix: a resin binder that penetrates the reinforcing material and cures.

  3. Optional additives: They improve the properties of the resin.