Composite materials are formed by combining two or more materials with different physical properties to produce a new material with superior properties to the original materials. Reinforced concrete is a composite of cement and steel that is stronger, harder, and more resistant to forces than either material alone. Fiber optic cables transmit data through thin glass fibers and are used for telecommunications due to their high data capacity and low interference.

1. SEAN, FELICIA, ANNA

2. The Meaning of Composite Materials
• A composite material is a structural material formed by combining
two or more materials with different physical properties, producing a
complex mixture.
• In the making of composites, components are combined to form new
type of materials that can overcome the limitations of the original
material.
• Composite materials are comprised of two phases:
a) Continuous phase (base)
b) Dispersed phase (matrix)

3. • Composite material produced will have different properties far more
superior to the original materials.
• Composite materials are:
The Meaning of Composite Materials
Harder
Lighter
Stronger
More resistant to heat and corrosion
Made for specific purposes

4. Components
• Component:
a) Concrete
b) Steel • Is strong in tension (high tensile strength)
• Corrodes easily
• Using thick steel columns to support a heavy load is expensive
• Components: a mixture of sand and small stones bound by
cement.
• Is strong in compression, brittle and weak in tension.
• Cannot withstand vibrations.
• Will crack under the action of bending forces.
• Concrete pillars must be big to support heavy load; takes up a lot
of space.

5. Reinforced Concrete
• Reinforced concrete is made by adding the concrete mixture of
cement, water, sand, chips and small stones into a frame of steel
bars or steel wire netting. When set, a composite material is formed.

6. Reinforced Concrete
• Reinforced concrete is a stronger building material as it combines the
compressive strength of concrete and tensile strength of steel.
• It does not corrode easily.
• It is relatively cheap.
• Can be molded into any shape.
• Can withstand very high applied forces (high pressure) and can
support very heavy loads.

7. Uses of Reinforced Concrete
• Framework for highways
• Bridges
• Oil platforms
• High-rise buildings
• Dams

9. • Existance of resistance causes the loss of electrical energy as heat
• Resistance increases as temperature increases.
• Can conduct electricity with zero resistance when they are cooled to extremely
cold temperatures. (transition temperature- using liquid helium)
• it conducts electricity without any loss of energy

10. • Ex. When Copper (II) oxide (CuO), barium oxide (BaO) & yttrium oxide (Y₂O₃) is
heated up, a type of ceramic with the formula (YBA₂Cu₃O₇), is produced ,known
as perovskite / YBCO, which can attain superconductivity at 90K(-183°c)
• Metal oxides are electric insulators, however when combined to form a
composite, it is a superconductor that can conduct very high current over long
distance without any loss of energy.
• Used to make more efficient generators, transformers, electric cables, amplifier,
computer parts, stronger & lighter electromagnets.

12. • Bundles of glass tubes with very small diameter, finer than human hair & are
very flexible
• Composite material that can transmit electronic data/signals, voices & images
in a digital format, in the form of light along the fibre glass tubes at a fast speed
• Consists of a core of glass of higher refractive index enclosed by a glass cladding
of lower refractive index. A light wave entering the fibre will travel along the
glass tube due to total internal reflection.

13. • In the field of telecommunication,
1. Used to replace copper wire in long distance telephone lines, mobile phones,
videos, cameras and etc.
2. Carry more data (higher transmission capacity) with less interference
3. Higher chemical ability
4. Lower material cost
5. Can send signals faster than metal cables
6. Occupies less space

14. • In the field of medicine
1. Laser beam can be chanelled through the fibre optics in operations to remove
unwanted tissues
2. Used in endoscopes(used to examine the internal organs)
• Used in instruments
1. To inspect the interior of manufactured products.

15. • Fibre glass is obtained by adding a polyester resin (a type of plastic) to molten
glass. It cannot be compressed easily and is more tensile than the original
materials.
• Fibre glass is light, withstands corrosion, can be cast into different shapes, is
impervious to water, not very flammable, not brittle and stronger than even
steel.
• It is used to make racquets, construction panels, electrical appliances, pipes,
and water tanks.

17. • Produced by embedding photochromic substances like silver halides in glass and
adding a little copper (i) chloride
• When exposed to UV rays, silver halides decomposes to form silver and halogen
atoms
• The silver deposited darkens the glass
• The photochromic glass become clear again when light intensity is lowered
2AgBr 2Ag+Br₂

18. • Silver atom and bromine gas recombine by reacting with copper ion
• Used for making camera lens, car windshields, and information display panels

19. THE END