Researching Glass Matrix Composite Materials

Glass is widely used in combination with other materials to form composites with novel, optimised properties. In particular, glass and related glass-ceramic materials are being considered increasingly to fabricate advanced composites for structural applications at intermediate and elevated temperatures (up to 1200 deg C). The focus of current research activities are those glass composite materials where glass constitutes the matrix with a high modulus, high strength and/or high ductility second constituent in the form of fibres, whiskers, platelets or particulate, it is possible to obtain glass composites with improved properties. A brief summary of current research is presented here.