Carbon fibre reinforced polymer is a composite material in which carbon fibres are embedded in a plastic matrix (such as epoxy resin). The matrix serves to connect the fibres and to fill the gaps between them. CFRP is used particularly where the increased costs are accepted for a low mass and simultaneously high rigidity. Examples are bicycle frames, rowing boats and accessories and compressed gas containers. Here, the mechanical properties of the cured composite benefit above all from the tensile strength and stiffness of the carbon fibres.

The fibre-reinforced materials, which are expensive to produce, are used above all in areas where their advantages (usually weight savings) result in at least a correspondingly high cost-saving potential, such as in aerospace and, in future, also in vehicle construction.

Graphite is a modification of carbon and crystallizes hexagonal. At room temperature and normal pressure graphite is the thermodynamically stable form of carbon. It is obtained by pyrolysis and graphitised by means of pressing processes and subsequent temperature treatments. Graphite is mainly used as graphite electrode and in mould making.

(ZrO2) Ceramics The ceramic material, zirconium dioxide, is used in dental materials for dental prostheses and is gaining year on year market share. The blank dental prostheses are first made from zirconium dioxide powder to so-called green bodies by a uniaxial or isostatic dry pressing process. After shaping the green bodies, heat treatment, i.e. de-binding and presintering, follows. In this way, important properties of the zirconium dioxide green bodies such as strength, hardness and shrinkage factors are adjusted. The production of crowns or bridge frameworks are carried out using diamond-coated carbide cutters. Here, microcrystalline diamond coatings show an excellent performance.

Aluminium-Silicon alloys (AlSi) are aluminium alloys consisting mainly of aluminium - with silicon as the most important alloying element in terms of quantity. Copper occurs in almost all technical alloys, at least as an admixture. This also improves machinability. Important areas of application are, for example, automotive parts, including cylinder heads, crankcases, engine blocks and pistons.