Top Composite Materials for Fabrication and Manufacturing
The top composite materials for fabrication and manufacturing allow creators to build products efficiently and cost-effectively. The versatility of these materials make designs that weren’t possible before attainable. For that reason, the composite market will likely reach $131 billion in value by 2024.
At Pacific Research Laboratories, we make a point of choosing the best materials for manufacturing high-quality products. Customized materials help us make our clients’ visions reality, whether they’re just starting their production journey or moving onto manufacturing. We leverage the top composite materials for fabrication and manufacturing in a wide range of projects to improve product efficacy and help control costs.
Top Composite Materials for Fabrication and Manufacturing
Composite materials come in all shapes and sizes, though not all are ideally suited for every purpose. When narrowing down composite choices, creators should consider the three separate classes to guide them to the best material: laminar, fiber-reinforced, and particulate.
Laminar |
Fiber-reinforced |
Particulate |
| Laminar makes use of thin sheets of materials with different components bonded together. This type of material allows for design flexibility and strength. Plywood is one of the most well-known types, though any composite assembled from bonded sheets falls into this category. | As the name implies, fibers are added to a polymer or other material to reinforce their strength. Carbon fiber is a widespread use of this method, providing significant strength in a product while also allowing a light, thin-walled design. This type of material is prevalent in automotive and aerospace designs. | Particulate materials come in two forms: flake or filled. In flake particulate, large particles sit in a carrier material. In a filled particulate, an internal structure holds these particles. Cement is an excellent example of a particulate, as the cement particles mix with other materials to provide strength and durability. |
Composite materials aren’t limited to plastics and sophisticated polymers. Even relatively low-tech materials like paper are technically composites. A composite must only comprise two disparate types of material in one of the above formations. The composite will usually fall into one of four primary material categories:
Polymer Matrix |
The primary component is a thermoset or thermoplastic material, while fiber reinforcements ensure strength and durability. Polymer matrix materials offer versatility and are suitable for a wide range of projects. |
Carbon Matrix |
Carbon fiber in a carbonaceous matrix allows the material to maintain its efficacy even in too high temperatures. It also has high dimensional stability, making it useful in stressful environments and applications. |
Metal Matrix |
A metallic matrix of aluminum, magnesium, or titanium holds more robust material particles. This matrix is highly customizable and useful for strength or to allow for thermal conductivity, wear resistance, or friction control. |
Ceramic Matrix |
This subgroup covers a ceramic material as a base with other materials to reduce the risk of cracking or shattering. Ceramic has high heat and electrical resistance, so adding structural support allows its use in major industrial applications. |
With so many various combinations, it’s possible to create an entirely new product for a given project—provided you work with the right agency. Pacific Research Laboratories excels in combining materials.
Building the Best Material for Your Project
Our engineers are skilled in selecting suitable materials for a given project. With intelligent combinations, we create items to control noise, handle high stress, manage heat, or allow long-term wear. It all depends on what type of project you have in mind. We also have a wide range of manufacturing options, allowing us to work with nearly every material you can imagine.
Aside from an in-depth understanding of materials, we also provide:
- Extensive industry experience
- A collaborative team ready to handle all your questions and concerns
- Lean principles to eliminate waste and ensure cost-efficient manufacturing
- End-to-end production capabilities from prototype development to small-run manufacturing
- An extensive portfolio of successful projects and satisfied clients
To access the top composite materials for fabrication and manufacturing, you need to work with the leading production company. Pacific Research Laboratories will take a hands-on approach to ensure your project gets the attention it deserves. We look forward to collaborating on bringing your vision to life.
OPTIMIZE YOUR PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Pacific Research Laboratories offers the top composite materials for fabrication and manufacturing at our full-service agency. Visit our contact page or call (206) 408-7603 to discover our options.