What is a composite?

Summary

Composites are materials made from two distinct components: reinforcing fibres, such as glass or carbon, and a binder, often plastic or resin. These materials combine to offer superior strength, lightness, and durability compared to metals. Composites can significantly reduce weight in products like cars, leading to energy savings and improved efficiency. With applications in various industries, such as automotive, aerospace, and sports, composites are a game-changer. Arkema's innovative Elium® solution even allows the recycling of thermoplastic resin-based composites, making them an exciting opportunity for the future.

Takeaways

• 😀 A composite material consists of at least two different components with complementary properties.
• 😀 One of the main components in composites is reinforcement, often made of technical fibres like glass or carbon, which provide strength.
• 😀 The second component is the binder, typically a plastic or polymer resin, that holds the structure together and ensures cohesion.
• 😀 Composites have unique properties that their individual components do not have on their own, making them highly versatile.
• 😀 A notable advantage of composites is that they are much lighter than metals, improving efficiency and performance.
• 😀 For example, in the automotive industry, composites can reduce the weight of a car by 250 kg, leading to energy savings of 0.4 L per 100 km in just 5 years.
• 😀 Composites are not only lightweight but also very resistant, making them ideal for a wide range of applications.
• 😀 Composites are used in various industries, such as ships' hulls, sports accessories for motor sports, car parts, and aircraft fuselages.
• 😀 Arkema, a leader in composite materials, has developed Elium® solutions for recycling thermoplastic resin-based composites.
• 😀 The use of composites is a major opportunity for Arkema, positioning them as an innovative player in this field of materials science.

Q & A

What is a composite material?

A composite material is made from at least two different components, whose properties complement each other to create a stronger or more efficient material.

What is the role of technical fibers in a composite?

Technical fibers, such as glass or carbon fibers, are used to reinforce the strength of the composite material. This is known as 'reinforcement' or 'fiber reinforcement'.

What is the function of the binder in a composite material?

The binder, which can be a plastic or polymer resin, acts as the 'matrix' that ensures the cohesion of the structure by holding the reinforcement fibers together.

How do the properties of the components in a composite combine?

The combination of reinforcement fibers and the binder creates a material that possesses the unique properties of both components, which individually would not have the same performance.

Can you provide an example of a composite material used in everyday life?

A car is a good example. In the next 5 years, the use of composites will help reduce its weight by 250 kg and improve energy efficiency by saving 0.4 liters of fuel per 100 km.

What is one advantage of composites over metals?

Composites are much lighter than metals while also being highly resistant, making them ideal for various applications.

How is Arkema involved in composite materials?

Arkema is a leader in the field of composites, especially in the recycling of thermoplastic resin-based composites through its Elium® solution.

What are some industries that benefit from composite materials?

Composite materials are widely used in industries such as shipbuilding (for hulls), motorsports (for sports accessories), automotive manufacturing (for car parts), and aviation (for aircraft fuselages).

What makes composites particularly suitable for the automotive industry?

Composites are lightweight and energy-efficient, which helps reduce the weight of vehicles, leading to fuel savings and enhanced performance over time.

What specific benefits will composites bring to the car industry in the next 5 years?

In the next 5 years, composites are expected to reduce the weight of cars by 250 kg and improve fuel efficiency by saving 0.4 liters per 100 km.