The document discusses composite materials, which are made by combining two or more materials with different properties. Composites offer several advantages over traditional materials like metals, including lighter weight, greater strength and stiffness, improved fatigue properties, and resistance to corrosion. Composites are classified based on the type of reinforcement, such as particles, fibers, or large particles, and the matrix material, such as polymer, metal, or ceramic. Fiber-reinforced composites can have aligned or randomly oriented fibers. Structural composites include laminates made of stacked layers and sandwich panels with a lightweight core material. Applications of composites include use in automobiles, marine vessels, aerospace, electronics, and safety equipment.