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Composites applications, in coming years, may grow in three distinct directions. The first category is dominated by the Thermoset Matrix Composites (TSMC) for high performance structural applications. Thermoset plastics reinforced with glass, carbon, aramid and other high strength fibres will compete with conventional construction materials like steel, aluminium, wood and concrete for making larger size, load bearing and durable structures and products. They include aerospace structures, buses, trucks, rail coaches, marine vessels and other transport systems, modular building components, pipes, bridges, transmission towers, chemical process and pollution control equipment and wind turbine blades. High specific mechanical properties, durability, fatigue resistance and ease of fabrication offered by these composites will encourage growth in this category. Since the benefits can be high, even environmental considerations may not hamper the growth.

The second category is for the semi durable products dominated by Thermoplastic Matrix Composites (TPMC). Glass fibres and natural fibres incorporated in to thermoplastics can be used for automobile and three wheeler parts, doors, windows, furniture, instrument covers etc. Lightly loaded products with a life period of less than 10 years can be made of these composites. At the end of service life, they can be recycled and reused. Light weight, lower cost, impact resistance and amenability to mass production and recycling are the main features that trigger growth.

The third category of composites includes the functional and smart composites. They include polymer and ceramic matrix composites with nano particles and smart functional fillers. Mechanical properties are important, but the emphasis is not on high strength, but on functional requirements like electrical, thermal, acoustic, tribological, optical and EMI properties. Sensors, transducers and smart function systems made of these composites will find more and more engineering applications.

In India, we have made good progress in the TSMC category. However, we have yet to exploit them for highly load bearing large size structures. India has abundant supply of natural fibres, but not much effort is going on to use them effectively for making the secondary category of composites. R & D work has been going on in various institutions in the third category of composites, but efforts are necessary to exploit them for industrial purposes.