Pyramid of excellence for some composite families

Hybrid materials are not really a clearly defined material category but result from a design method that associates, by integrating them closely, one or more polymers on the one hand and, generally, one or more other materials, which provide one or more functionalities difficult or impossible to obtain with only one polymer. 

The dividing line between hybrid materials and associated materials is rather fuzzy. This definition does not regard as hybrids, for example, those polymers joined after their manufacture onto structures of metal or concrete. On the other hand, overmoulding on structural and functional inserts is regarded as hybrid. 

The hybrid techniques often associate polymers and metals and combine the benefits of the two material classes. The metal provides the rigidity and the overmoulded reinforced plastic keeps the shape of the metal and adds numerous functionalities. 

There is also a growing interest in the association of elastic polymers, which assume sealing or damping functionalities, with rigid plastics or composites that have the structural role. One of the materials can be overmoulded on the other or the two materials can be co-moulded. 

This principle, in more or less complex versions, is applied to  

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Figure 1.18. Pyramid of excellence for some composite families...

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