Material Options

Overview of Composite Properties
A composite is a combination of two or more materials yielding properties superior to the individual ingredients. One material is in the form of a particulate or fiber (reinforcement or discrete phase). The other is formable solid (matrix or continuous phase). The region where the two materials meet is called the interface. The composite properties are determined by the chemical mechanical interaction at the interface as well as the properties of the combined materials.

Plastic resins are the formable matrix within the composite. Virtually all of the physical properties are strongly influenced by the resin. Most resins used in composites are the thermosetting type - once formed they cannot be reformed, and they do not melt or flow. Thermoplastics are also used in lower temperature applications. Most often they are enhanced with synergistic organic and inorganic additives to provide additional functionality.

Successful application of composite materials involves careful tailoring of the constituents using combinatorial chemistry. MFG employs several disciplines to develop cost-effective material solutions for specific applications. This expertise, through our MFG Research entity, is available to help our customers achieve optimum product quality and aesthetics as well as manufacturing efficiency.

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