Composites for the 1990s

Abstract
Composites are of two essentially different types: ( a ) those made to achieve a unique combination of properties, usually mechanical properties; ( b ) composites formed for ease of processing. The archetype of ( a ) is the fibre or laminated composite. The attainable properties will be reviewed and interesting effects arising from the scale of size of the components discussed, notably crack arrest and thin-film effects. Examples of ( b ) are polymer-polymer composites and some of the processes for forming ceramics and strong metals. A unified example of ( a ) and ( b ) are composites of controlled thermal conductivity.

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