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About This Technology

Polymer-matrix composites consist of glass, carbon, or other high-strength fibers in a thermoset or thermoplastic resin. The resulting materials are strong, stiff, and corrosion resistant. PMCs adopt flat, gently curved, or sharply sculpted contours with ease, providing manufacturers with design flexibility. In addition, composites offer the opportunity for parts consolidation and lower assembly costs.

Polymer-matrix composites provide a stiff, lightweight alternative to steel, aluminum, and traditional materials such as wood. Currently, composites find use in a broad range of applications. In the aerospace, automotive, rail, and bus sectors, their light weight leads to lower fuel consumption. Their resistance to corrosion enables their use in marine, construction, and infrastructure applications, including piping and storage tanks. Composites' lightweight strength and vibration-damping properties protect athletes from tennis elbow and allow fishermen to cast with increased accuracy. In addition, polymer-matrix composites are the materials of choice for wind-turbine blades.

Composites continue to make steady progress in new as well as established applications. In the aerospace industry, the current emphasis on fuel efficiency favors the use of PMCs instead of aluminum; in addition, a new class of aircraft—microjets—makes extensive use of lightweight composites. In the automotive industry, manufacturers are recognizing the advantages of weight reduction, parts consolidation, and design freedom that PMCs afford. In the energy sector, the growing use of wind energy has led to increased demand for PMC turbine blades. Despite lingering concerns about the materials' recyclability (an important factor in automotive markets), the outlook for PMCs is bright.