Composites

Composite Materials for Combined Strength by Design

CoorsTek combines materials into composites to solve complex problems. Each composite is tailored to take advantage of the different materials' strengths. The resulting product exhibits better properties than the individual materials would have. A composite begins with a substrate or matrix often made of ceramic or metal, which is then combined or bonded with a complementary material in the optimal configuration.

Example applications

Ceramic Matrix Composite

CoorsTek has developed a composite ceramic material using silicon carbide (SiC) and short carbon fibers. Similar to adding straw to clay in adobe bricks, the use of carbon fibers allows the ceramic composite to overcome ceramic’s brittleness and inducing toughness while maintaining the benefits of the individual materials. This creates a lightweight yet extremely stiff and strong material with great thermal shock properties.

Carbon Fiber - Aluminum Composite

Steelhead accumulators, which store energy as compressed air, are made of aluminum with carbon fiber overwrap. This makes the pressure vessel 1/3 the weight of a steel pressure vessel in addition to being impervious to rusting. The composite design also prevents the catastrophic failure that plagues traditional steel vessels.