Composite materials

Composite materials are materials that are composed of two different materials in order to blend their properties.

In the context of rocketry, this usually refers to glass, Kevlar, basalt, or carbon fibers embedded in a thermoset plastic resin.

Fiber types

Fiberglass

• E-glass
• S-glass

Carbon

various different elastic moduli and tensile strength tradeoffs are available

Matrix Types

Polyester

Often used on boats. Rarely used for hobby rocketry.

Resin application methods

Wet layup

used for filament winding: you dip the tow in resin before winding

Compression methods

Vacuum bagging

(applies to VARTM too)