Composite

What are bicycle frames made of? Other common composites?

January 19th, 2010 | by admin |

I know that there are some that are made with carbon composites… Does anyone know what the other element is in the composite?

Also, what are some other common household objects that are made with composites, and what are the composites?

Thank you so much. -^^-

Bicycle frames are made from aluminum, steel, titanium and carbon fiber.

Carbon fiber is a composite material. The carbon is usually combined with plastic epoxy resin or boron to strenghten it for use in bicycle frames.

Composite materials are materials that when combined, result in a material that has new physical and chemical properties. A composite material is created when two or more chemicals are blended (mixed) together. In bicycle frame manufacturing, one of these chemicals (such as carbon) is a strong fiber that gives the composite its tensile strength. The other chemical (such as plastic epoxy resin) binds these fibers tightly together. The blending of these two chemicals makes the composite material even stronger than carbon itself.

Other examples of composites include:
concrete,
plywood,
formica kitchen countertops,
fiberglass used in boats,
fiberglass used in protective sporting equipment (helmets),
outer shells of computers
outer shells of refrigerators
outer shells of cellular telephones