4. Red clay contains iron (III) oxide which gives the red colour .

5. General uses ceramics are as follows of :

• very hard and strong but brittle

• inert to chemical reaction

• has a very high melting point

• good electric and heat insulator

• able to withstand compression

9.6 COMPOSITE MATERIAL
1.

A composite material is a structural material formed by

combining two or more materials with different physical properties, producing a

complex mixture.

2.
 The composite material produced will have different properties

far more superior to the original materials.

3.

The composite material produced are harder, stronger, lighter,

more resistant to heat and corrosion and also for specific purposes.

4.
When composite material is formed, the weakness of the
components will not exist anymore.
Composite material Component
Properties of
component
Properties of composite
Reinforced concrete
Concrete

Hard but brittle,

With low tensile

strength

Stronger, higher tensile

strength, not so brittle,

does not corrode easily,

can withstand higher

applied forces and loads,

relatively cheaper
Steel

Hard with high tensile strength but expensive and can corrode
Fibre optics
Glass of low
refractive index
Transparent, does not
reflect light rays.

Reflect light rays and

allow light rays to travel

along the fibre

Glass of high
Heavy, strong but
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refractive index
brittle and non-
flexible
Fibreglass
Glass

Heavy, strong but

brittle and non-

flexible

Light, strong, tough,

resilient and flexible,

with high tensile strength

and not flammable

Polyester plastic

Light, flexible, elastic

but weak and

inflammable
Photochromic glass
Glass
Transparent and not
sensitive to light
Sensitive to light:

darkness when light

intensity is high,

becomes clear when

light intensity is low

Silver chloride, or
silver bromide
Sensitive to light
Figure 9.9 Composite material and their new properties
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CONCLUSION
We must appreciate these various synthetic industrial materials. One of the way is by

doing continuous research and development ( R & D ) to produce better materials used to

improve our standard of living. As we live in a changing world, our society is getting

more complex. New materials are required to overcome new challenges and problems we

face in our daily lives. Synthetic material are developed constantly due to the limitation

and shortage of natural materials. New technological developments are used by scientists

to make new discoveries.

New materials for clothing, shelter, tools and communication to improve our daily

life are developed continuously for the well-being of mankind. New needs and new

problem will stimulate the development of new synthetic materials. For example, the new

use of plastic composite material will replace metal in the making of a stronger and

lighter car body. This will save fuel and improve speed. Plastic composite materials may

one day used to make organs for organ transplant in human bodies. This will become

necessity with the shortage of human organ donors.

The understanding of the interaction between different chemicals is important for

both the development of new synthetic materials and the disposal of such synthetic

materials as waste. A responsible and systemic method of handling the waste of synthetic

materials and their by-product is important to prevent environmental pollution. The

23

recycling and development of environmental friendly synthetic material should be

enforced.
REFERENCES
1.

Tan Yin Toon, Loh Wai Leng, Tan On Tin, 2008, SUCCESS

Chemistry SPM, Oxford Fajar Sdn.Bhd.

2.