An important aspect of composite materials concerns the technology by which they are produced. Depending on the nature of matrix and fibre, and the required architecture of fibre distribution, production at reasonable cost and with suitable microstructural quality can present a challenge. In most cases, manufacture of the final component and production of the composite material are carried out at the same time. This gives scope for optimal fibre placement and distribution of orientations, but also requires that the mechanical requirements of the application be well understood and that the processing route be tailored accordingly. Fabrication procedures for most commercially important (fibre-reinforced polymer) composites are technically mature, but there are some types of composite for which processing routes are still under development.
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