What are composite materials primarily used for?

Composite materials are primarily used to enhance mechanical properties and reduce weight due to their unique structure, which combines two or more distinct materials to create a composite that exhibits superior characteristics compared to its individual components. By incorporating various materials, such as fibers within a resin matrix, composites achieve high strength-to-weight ratios, making them especially valuable in applications where reducing weight without sacrificing strength is critical.

For instance, in the aerospace and automotive industries, composite materials are extensively utilized because they allow for lighter structures that improve fuel efficiency and performance while maintaining necessary durability and strength. This capability to optimize mechanical performance while minimizing weight is a primary reason composite materials are favored in many engineering applications. Consequently, they play a crucial role in advancing technology across various fields.