Interfaces in Composite Materials - Biointerfaces: Where Material Meets Biology - page 153

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CHAPTER 7
Interfaces in Composite
Materials

ENSANYA A. ABOU NEEL,* a,b,c WOJCIECH CHRZANOWSKI d
AND ANNE M. YOUNG c

a Operative and Aesthetic Dentistry Department, Biomaterials Division,
King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80200, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia;
b Faculty of Dentistry, Biomaterials Department, Tanta University, Tanta,
Egypt; c Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Division, UCL, Eastman
Dental Institute, 256 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8LD, UK;
d The Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006,
Australia
*Email: [e-mail]; [e-mail]

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7.1 Introduction
On a macroscopic scale, the word 'composite' refers to combination of two
or more components; the aim is to synergistically combine positive features
of these components and provide improved functionality of the material
(composite). These components may differ in composition, morphology and
physical properties. 1 In this chapter, the word 'composite' refers to com-
binations of either different polymeric matrices or polymer matrix and filler
phase. The region between the different components of the composite (e.g.,
the matrix and filler) can be a surface (i.e., interface) or a third phase (i.e.,
interphase). The properties of a composite are therefore dependent on the
composition, properties and the interfacial interaction of its components.
Composites can be designed to provide materials with tailored chemical,
physical and mechanical properties to fulfill specific applications. Most