1. General presentation

Composite materials were created by combining reinforcing fibers with very high mechanical properties with an easy-to-use ductile matrix of low density and modest performance.

This is the principle that was used by the old composites processors to build the first walls in "pisé", a mixture of clay and straw, followed by "staff", a mixture of plaster and filasse, and today's reinforced concrete, and so on.

4,000 years ago, the Mesopotamians made their boats from bitumen-coated jute cloth, which is still in use today.

The industrialization of chemistry has enabled the industrial development of these composite materials by providing :

• fibrous reinforcements in the form of yarns, fabrics or tapes offering excellent mechanical, thermal and electrical resistance: plant fibers...