Is Fiberglass a type of composite?

Answer 1

No fiberglass alone is not a composite, it is only that fiberglass. But if you combine fiberglass with resin which is mixed first with a catalyst so it becomes hard, it then becomes a FRP part which is known as Fiber Reinforced Plastic, which is a composite. This is what most us have seen as examples of composites when looking at a corvette car fender, diving boards, surf board, motor boats or sail planes these are all examples of Fiber Reinforced Plastic parts, which combines these two substances both resin and fiberglass to become a composite. Each substance alone does not have the necessary mechanical proprieties which would be necessary alone for a material suitable for some type of structure , but with both of the substances combined they become a true composite. This where where the substance of one material which lacks these necessary properties are then found in the other materials properties alone they are almost useless but combined these materials help to make up for what the other one lacks.

Answer 2

Fiberglass like any material has a specific strength some fiberglass grades have greater strength then others like (S-2) fiberglass " S" as in structural is stronger than (E) Fiberglass " E " meaning Electrical grade like all materials like fiberglass they have a strength value which with enough of either one material, one could even lift the a cruise ship or maybe even the Queen Mary in Long Beach, if one wanted to.

A composite is a combination of two or more materials combined together which becomes one, FRP or Fiber Reinforced Plastic we commonly refer to as "Fiberglass" is a composite combining fiberglass cloth with resin the two together become an FRP and this is a composite made with fiberglass.