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13
Textile Composites
13.1 Introduction to Composites
Five decades ago, there has been a huge demand for materials that are
stiffer and stronger, yet lighter in aeronautic, energy, civil engineer-
ing, and in various structural applications. This necessity and demand
accelerated the industry and research organization to develop the con-
cept of combining different materials in an integral composite structure.
Composites are the product with the desired properties (e.g., lightweight,
strong, corrosion resistant) obtained by combining two or more distinct
materials. Composites are produced to synergize consti