1. Main components

1.1 Matrix

For reasons of ease of processing without pressure, polymers processed in their liquid state were initially chosen for use as matrices and continue to be the most frequently used. Since then, all plastics have been used with varying degrees of success in the manufacture of short-fibre composites that can be injected, extruded or moulded, like pure resins, or long-fibre composites like TRE or FIT.

All these polymers are described in this treatise, which devotes at least one monograph to each of the resins used.