Composite Materials

• Glass-reinforced plastic (GRP)


  • Glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) is glass fibre matting covered in a smooth resin which sets rigid with a gloss finish.
  • This material can be easily coloured and complex shapes can be formed.
  • Glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) is lightweight, waterproof, chemically resistant, corrosion-resistant, heat resistant and has a good strength to weight ratio.
  • This material is widely used in boat hulls, car bodies, storage tanks and seating.
  • However, the material is very labour intensive to produce.
• Carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP)

  • Carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) is cloth woven matting with individual interlacing strands that provides an aesthetically pleasing pattern.
  • This carbon fibre can be coloured, arranged in different patterns and decorated with decals.
  • CFRP is strong, waterproof, expensive, chemically resistant, corrosion-resistant, heat resistant and has a good strength to weight ratio.
• Uses of CFRP

  • This material is widely used in sports cars, supercars, sports equipment, boats, musical instruments and prosthetics.
  • However, the material is very labour intensive to produce.