UPDATING THE DEFINITION AND CONCEPTS IN THE FIELD OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS

摘要

The recent literature shows that a broad range of composite materials are intended for thermal and functional applications, in addition to those for structural applications. It also shows that a number of new terms and concepts has emerged. This fact suggests the need for an update in the classification of composites and in the review of the principles upon which they are founded, and perhaps, in redefining some previous concepts and the establishment of new ones. On the basis of a recent review of the literature - bibliographical references and statistics of old and new books, as well as specialized journals on the subject -, in this contribution, authors review the essentials of composites and put forward an upgraded classification, providing illustrative examples from ancient to the most recent applications. The paper culminates with an insight into the future prospects on the subject of composites, making a painstaking analysis.