Our guide to Composite Materials includes the following sections…
Index
Composite materials are created by combining two or more constituent materials with matrix materials to create a stronger and higher quality composite more suited to the required application.
The constituent materials often have very differing qualities, either physically or chemically, which complement each other as a composite.
The original components remain distinctly separate and can be clearly seen in the finished material. This separation of materials is what defines the finished product as a composite rather than a mixture or solution.
The composite material will be designed and produced to have a reinforced structure sometimes with increased rigidity for durability and strength. This is often achieved by layering the reinforcing materials in different directions or unidirectionally.

There is nothing new about composite materials. They have been used in varying forms throughout history whether it being the combination of mud straw and clay to build early housing, combining woods with bamboo and bone to create tools, utensils and weapons, to now being used as nanocomposites for biomedical applications.
The evolution of composite materials is an interesting one; it is ever changing and found in all industries on all scales. Bakelite is considered to be the first plastic, created in the early 1900s, and was largely favoured and greatly successful due to its non-conductivity and its heat resistance. Following Bakelite came fibre reinforced polymers progressing towards fibreglass due to the demands for light weight defence machinery and aeronautics after the second world war. The Boeing 707 being the first passenger aircraft to have 2% of its structure made from fibreglass in the 1950s.
The 1950s brought a demand for commercial composites (Bakelite and Phenolic Cotton) on a much larger scale for use in the household and the1960’s brought carbon fibres used in many industries.
There are few limitations to composite materials and many large manufacturing companies, governments, university research centres and stakeholders are constantly investing in research and development.
There is, nowadays, a trend towards developing composites for renewable energy such as bigger and better wind turbines. There is also much investment into nanocomposites particularly for biomedical research and development.
Large industrial sectors in which composites continue to play a huge role are the Marine, Automotive and Aeronautical sector in which the potential of composites is endless, and the future is extremely exciting.
The true potential of composite materials has far from been fully exploited but what we can be sure of is that composites have been around for many years and are sure to continue. Material combinations, research and fuller understanding will only increase and improve as research and investments continue to be made.

The Main Material Classifications:
- Isotropic – Isotropic composites have the same physical properties when measured in any direction. Isotropic composites are favoured where strength is the main feature.
- Anisotropic – Anisotropic composites have differing physical properties when measured in different directions. Anisotropic composites are favoured when flexibility and a range of movement is required.
- Orthotropic – Orthotropic composites are of the same family as anisotropic composites because their physical properties differ when measured in different directions.
Orthotropic composites have material properties which vary along three directions. This is most common in fibrous or grained materials such as cold rolled sheet metal or wood, where strength can vary between one outstanding part, the composite and the axial, radial and circumferential direction.
Orthotropic composites lend themselves perfectly to applications where a certain amount of elasticity is required.
The structure of composites depends largely on the materials used and the bonding methods applied. Other factors include the shape and orientation of the dispersed phase inclusion.

What are Composite Materials Used For?
Composites can be used for practically anything. There are so many varying types of composite materials that they provide a solution for many applications in many industries.
Here we provide just a few examples of industries that are successfully using composite materials in place of more traditional material:
Composites are well suited to many applications in aerospace largely due to the versatility, strength, fatigue resistance and low weight. Once the necessary equipment has been purchased and the prototypes are designed and ready for use, composites are extremely cost effective for the automotive industry. They can be designed with many of the necessary requirements in mind to meet industry legislative requirements, particularly regarding safety and crash test performance. Thermoset composites absorb up to twice the energy of traditional steel and thermoplastics can absorb up to eight times the energy of steel. Composites also have the important benefit of being very low weight therefore far more fuel efficient and more easily recyclable.
Uses: Composites are used in all parts of both industries. In Aerospace, composites are particularly commonly used in the wing structure and complete wings, fuselage and fairings, the aircraft nose. In Automotive, composites are used throughout the cars. It is a very effective way to reduce the weight and therefore save energy and production costs in both industries.
Many typical composites are resin bonded fabric reinforced bushings bearings and wear pads used for many different applications in agriculture, especially in the very demanding and hardworking machinery.
Uses: Typical uses for composites in agriculture are in such applications as the combine harvesters, balers, pea harvesters, mowers, spraying equipment, heavy duty tractors and trailers and much more. The composites can be designed specifically for the demands of the job in hand. They are self-lubricating and durable with low friction and wear. This reduces the need for costly and time-consuming maintenance and increases the life span of the machinery. It also reduces the noise of the equipment when in use.
Quality and safety is heavily regulated in the food and beverage industries worldwide. It is therefore imperative that all machinery, equipment and packaging is monitored to meet regulations. Composite packaging can be designed to meet the exact requirements of different food types and aid in the safe and hygienic transportation and preservation of foods. Composites are widely used in the machinery which produces processed foods as it can be odour-free, corrosion resistant and sterilised.
Uses: Composite materials are used for autoclaves used for the sterilisation of equipment used in the food industry. Other applications include the packaging, filter plates, scrapers and conveyor belts and guide strips.
Hydraulic compatible composites have been designed to have high-load capabilities, low friction and a very long-life span with no swell and offering excellent hydraulic fluid compatibilities.
Uses: Typical applications in the hydraulics industry is for wear rings and bearing strips for use in hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders. We can custom make parts for different applications such as bearings and wear strips which operate in non- standard fluids.
Resin bonded composite materials are ideally suited for the Marine sector. Tufcot have created the Tufcot® T100 MP specifically for the Marine environment with many specific factors in mind.
Uses: The Tufcot® T100 MP is commonly used in rudder and pintle bushes in the Marine environment, it can be water, oil or grease lubricated and equally efficient in dry running conditions. Tufcot® T100 MP is typically used in watertight door bushes, deck winch bearings, anchor sheave bearings, deck crane bushes and bearings, stern roller and many more applications both above and below the water line.
Mechanical handling or otherwise known as material handling is the method in which materials are moved, stored, controlled and protected in manufacturing, distribution, consumption and disposal processes. Many maintenance needs and causes of downtime can be avoided by choosing composites rather than traditional metals. Composite polymers are designed not to rust, need less or no lubrication they are water and UV resistant and offer lower wear rates than metal bearings.
There are many ways in which composite materials are proving valuable to the medical world. One example is for prosthetic limbs or bone implants. There is evidence that using carbon composites can encourage natural healing of the surrounding damaged cells or ligaments. The composite can be designed to the patient’s exact requirements and matched to their measurements and shape ensuring a lifelike limb which functions almost as well as the skeletal limb.
Uses: Composites are widely used in medical equipment such as x-ray machines, various scanners, surgical tools, mobility aids and much more. There are numerous benefits including the fact that composites can be designed to be x-ray transparent, strong and light-weight, heat-resistant and moisture resistant, can be designed to mimic the bodies natural movements and have a very long-life span.
Composite materials have become increasingly common in applications in the mining, oil and gas sectors. This is largely due to the high cost of using more traditional steel or other metals and the benefits of using composites in its place. Composite material is far less likely to need costly maintenance or parts replaced. It is corrosion resistant and has a far better weight to strength ratio. Composites have proved far more reliable, much safer and less costly. Tufcot provide the Tufcot T400 range which is a fire-retardant grade of resin; crucial for these potentially dangerous environments.
Uses: Typical uses in these industries include wear sheaves, gears, conveyor rollers, BOP system bushings and wear pads, drill string handling equipment, piping systems and much more. Many different types of composites are used for each application. Glass fibre reinforced polymer composites are, for example, used for piping systems because of the tolerance to extremes in temperatures, pressures and extreme weather conditions. Another example is the use of composites on the tipping hinges of Iron ore cars in mines. For this application Tufcot provide the perfect material. It is a self-lubricating composite which can tolerate loads of up to 800kg/cm².
The most commonly used composite in the rail industry is fibre-reinforced polymer composites (FRPs). This is because the labour cost and time is significantly less than more traditional materials and it is perfect for many applications including, platform systems, vestibule pods and much more. Tufcot provide the Tufcot T200 range which can be used in certain applications where slightly higher operating temperatures may be experienced.
Uses: FRPs are used on the lineside, exterior and interior panels of trains and can be specifically designed and manufactured for the application remotely and then installed quickly and efficiently. This reduces disruption to running times and can easily be installed out of normal business hours. Composites are now also being designed to be graffiti proof and fire retardant leading to huge cost savings long-term.
Composites are commonly used in structural engineering because the composite can be designed and manufactured to exacting specifications to overcome design problems and limitations. There is so much design flexibility that composite material perfectly suits complex architectural design, replicating buildings of historical interest or for renovation purposes, low thermal and electrical conductivity, reduced risk of swelling, rust and corrosion,
Uses: Structural engineers often favour composite materials for such applications as interior and exterior cladding, rain screens and curtain walls, framing, insulations, roofing, bridges and much more.
As with most industries composites are commonly preferred for their ability to be cost effective, reduced use of energy, long lasting, durable and efficient. Many of the parts needed in textile, print and paper machinery are high-pressure laminates, low-pressure laminates, tubes, flexible materials, machined parts and auxiliary materials.
Uses: Typical applications in the textile, printing and paper sector are dye vat bearings, doll head bushes, gears for looms, felting rollers, sheaves and paper mill bearings.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Composite Materials
The Tufcot® Range of Composite Materials
Bushes and Bearings

Tufcot® bearings are resin bonded fabric reinforced composites developed with unique properties to suit many bearing applications in different market sectors. Our bearings can be self-lubricating and ensure an increased life span and improved performance. The resins are often blended with friction modifiers such as graphite, PTFE or molybdenum di sulphide or a combination of these.
Sphericals

Tufcot® composite spherical bearings are suited to a wide range of market sectors for both inner and outer housing. Our inner rings can be split before or after machining and our Sphericals can be mounted in the housing. They can be drilled and grooved if extra lubricant is required. This makes them saltwater proof making them an ideal component to use in the marine sector where risk of corrosion is otherwise high.
Tufcot Sphericals are well suited to:
- Commercial Solar Farm Equipment
- Agricultural Equipment
- Deck Cranes
- Cylinder Eye Ends
- Hydro Power Equipment
- Water Treatment Equipment
Washers

Tufcot produce many thrust washers, bearings and gaskets including simple spacers, plain washers, thrust washers and bearings.
Wear Rings

Tufcot® wear rings are manufactured from a resin-impregnated fine weave fabric reinforced with added solid lubricant which is capable of withstanding high loads and has good vibration and damping characteristics. It is also compatible with hydraulic fluid mediums. Our wear rings are perfectly suited for use in heavy duty hydraulic cylinders as they are subject to high loads. They are also commonly used in mobile and offshore hydraulics.
The high compression strength, sliding ability and wear resistance of our wear rings and bearings guarantee a long-life span with minimal need for parts replacements and maintenance.
Tufcot Wear Rings are well suited to:
- Excavation Equipment
- Fork Lift Trucks
- Mechanical Handling Equipment
- Deck and Mobile Cranes
- Ro Ro Ferry Bow Doors
- Lifting Bridge Cylinders
Wear Pads

Tufcot wear pads can be produced from any of our range of material grades. They can have solid lubricants incorporated making them self-lubricating. The solid lubricants we use are graphite molybdenum di sulphide, PTFE or a combination.
We have the necessary expertise and equipment to provide wear pads of all sizes; finish machined, drilled and grooved to our customers’ specifications.
Tufcot Wear Pads are well suited to the following industries:
- Offshore Oil and Gas
- Mechanical Handling Equipment
- Construction Equipment
- Steel Industries
- Hydro Electric Power Generation
Custom Parts

Tufcot produce custom parts designed and manufactured to customer specifications from our range of material grades in a variety of dimensions.
Sheets, Tubes & Rods

Tufcot provide sheets, tubes and rods for those who prefer to do their own machining or through an external contractor.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Composite Materials
Composites are often chosen for their strength. Strength can be manipulated to suit the application through the combination of resins and reinforcements and the direction in which they are arranged.
Factors to consider regarding strength include;
- Specific Strength – The weight-to-strength ratio.
- Tensile Strength – how much stress the composite can tolerate before it reaches breaking point.
- Shear Strength – How much the composite can resist strain when layers shift or slide. This is particularly applicable to laminated composites.
- Compressive Strength – The effect of compression and flattening on the material. It is important to know the compression limitations before a composite is chosen because excessive compression can lead to breaks, fractures and deformity.
It is important to consider all factors when choosing composites for different applications as fibre and resin combinations can be adapted to suit specific requirements if those requirements are known and understood form the offset.
As composites are used in such a great variety of applications and so many industries it is important to know the purpose for which it is being applied and the applications specific requirements.
Generally, composites are the preferred material for many applications because of their strength, weight, resistance to extreme weather, corrosion and chemicals, flexibility and durability.
We, at Tufcot, have a wealth of knowledge and experience in being able to advise you on the best suited composite for your specific application.
The very nature of composite design and manufacture means there is reduced waste, minimal need for maintenance and parts replacements and a vastly increased life-span compared to more traditional materials.
These factors all contribute favourably to an economical alternative.
The Engineering Process
You can have full confidence that all factors mentioned above have been taken into consideration in the engineering process of Tufcot composites.
We have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the production of industry specific composite materials.
Our engineering process includes:
Manufacturing

Our process department is split between the tube or rod manufacturing section and the sheet laminating section.
Our laminating department follows the same initial procedure as the tube or rod, but the process later changes before its initial curing phase which again follows the same procedure as the tubes in the curing oven.
Preparation

Tube and rod preparation involves trimming the ends of tubes and removing the rich resin outer surface.
Laminate preparation involves sawing, sanding trimmed to size laminate sheets to the required thickness.
Machining

We have a wide range of CNC lathes and machining centres which allow us to machine parts to custom or bespoke drawings.
Our CNC milling and routing machines allow us to make wear pads, wear strips, guide strips, bearing blocks and structural bearings.
Finishing

Finishing involves removing flash to ensure edges are clean and smooth for a more polished finish.
Final Inspection

Final Inspection is completed in a temperature-controlled environment. In many instances final measurement is completed on our CMM machine.
Products are dimensionally checked and quality control is rigorous to ensure we meet our high internals standards as well as industry standards and customer requirements.
We offer 3.1 and 3.2 test certificates.
Quality Checks

We are ISO 9001 accredited and we take quality extremely seriously at Tufcot.
All our procedures and quality manuals are up-to-date and in place.
Our quality procedures ensure efficiency and transparency at all stages of our services.
Dispatch

We always aim for the most suitable and cost-effective packing method and packaging.
We are conscious of reducing cost and waste for our clients and the environment.
Pricing

Once an enquiry has been placed our aim is to reply to that enquiry with a quotation within 24 hours unless of course there are more complex requirements or if further discussions are necessary.
Research & Development

We always aim to be able to answer any questions from clients, so our R & D team are always on hand. Our R & D team work closely with our technical team. Essential to our R & D program we have invested in a custom-made Journal bearing test rig which allows us to qualify new materials and plan for future developments in Tufcot grade composites.
We work closely with The University of Sheffield and have access to their research centre and we have students and specialists alike working alongside Tufcot on many exciting projects.
Our philosophy is to constantly invest in research and development projects. We know this is an extremely competitive market and we also know the potential of composites for so many industries. We love being part of that and we are passionate about producing the very best material for many applications.
Production

Our production has a very high success rate for on-time delivery and low lead times.
We closely monitor and review the stages between customer enquiry to dispatch and are proud of our production team’s efficiency, quality and professionalism.
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