In a composite material the constituents are generally arranged with the reinforcement phase incorporated into the matrix phase. Since a composite is essentially a mixture between the reinforcing phase and the matrix, there is no intermolecular bond between the two, however, as is the case with fibrous composites, the most mechanically efficient structure is a cross-linked fibrous network suspended in a matrix material. In the case of particulate composites, however, the reinforcement phase essentially acts to strengthen the matrix material by adding support. Types of Composites Composite materials are usually classified according to the type of their reinforcement phase. The two main types of composites are fibrous composites and particulate composites, which can be further divided. In fibrous composites the fibers acting as reinforcement can be continuous or cut and suspended in a material matrix. In composites where the reinforcement phase is composed of cut or discontinuous fibers, the composite may have a random or distorted orientation. They can be used to make composites or single layer foils. In particulate composites the particles are suspended in a matrix, an example of which is concrete. These particles can be of any shape or size and can have any configuration throughout the matrix. There are two further subclasses of particulates, namely flaked and filled/skeletal. In flake composite particles, the reinforcement phase, with large platform area to thickness ratios, is suspended in a matrix material. In filled/skeletal composites there is a skeletal matrix filled with a second reinforcing material.Mechanical properties of compositesThe mechanical...... half of the paper......al is composed of two or more distinct materials[1] , or constituents, with one constituent acting as the reinforcing phase and the other as the matrix. A composite material is defined as having different macroscopic behaviors, or chemical and physical properties, than its constituent materials, and has a distinct interface boundary at the microscopic level. Works Cited1 - http://www.merriam-webster.com /dictionary/composite2-http://composite.about.com/od/aboutcompositesplastics/l/aa060297.htm3 - http://www.fibersonixx.com/Composites %20101.htm4 - http://afrodita.rcub.bg .ac.rs/~rzoran/263-276%20from%20Engineering%20Materials%202.pdf5-http://www.scribd.com/doc/36051965/ Intro-to-Composite-Materials6-DT260-2 Degree in Industrial Economics and Environmental Physics - Mechanical Properties and Materials-CERAMICS7-http://www.ehow.com/about_5149655_uses-composite-materials.html