Walker, MarkSmith, Ryan Elliot2017-11-152017-11-152003http://hdl.handle.net/10321/2880A thesis submitted in compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Mechanical Engineering, Durban Institute of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2003.Composites have become important engineering materials, especially in the fields of automotive, aerospace and marine engineering. This is due to the high specific strength and stiffness properties they offer. At present, fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) laminates are some of the most common types of composite used. They are produced in various forms with different structural properties. As with all engineering materials, there is the existence of both advantages and disadvantages. One of the main disadvantages is the expense involved in producing both the material and the finished product. The design time is also costly as the material has to be designed concurrently with the structure.133 penComposite materialsFibrous compositesThesishttps://doi.org/10.51415/10321/2880