Composites and New Materials

• made from 2 or more materials
• = can make it have more useful properties

Glass-reinforced plastic (GRP)

• used for caar bodies + boats
• made from glass fibres bonded with polyester resin
• light + can be moulded but stronger than plastic
• glass fibre available as woven fabric, matting + loose strands

Carbon fibre reinforced plastic

• similar to GRP but instead carbon fibres are used
• lighter, stronger + tougher than GRP
• used for protective helmets, racing cars + bulletproof vests

Nitinol

• shape memory alloy
• can be easily shaped when cool + returns to a 'remembered' shape when heated above a certain temperature
• e.g. glasses

Thermochromic Ink

• react to temp.
• when temp. changes colour of product changes
• used in babies' feeding spoons, kettles, mugs, thermometers etc...

• used to make self-cleaning glass for windows = glass have a coating of nanoparticles that cause dirt to break down so it can be easily washed off by rainwater
• used to make anti-bacterial coatings - eg for toys - surfaces can be coated with a nanomaterial which contains nanoparticles that kill bacteria
• nanomaterials can be combined with other materials = nanocomposite

• some are worried that nanotechnology might have long-term risks; could be harmful to environment as they're really small + lightweight = carried into atmosphere + contaminate water?