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Principle

40. Composite Materials

a. Replace a homogenous material with a composite one

  • Principle Description:  Change a homogenous material structure to a composite structure.

  • Hints on Usage:  A more general perspective of this principle is to consider changing the composition. In this principle, the term “composite” can mean high-tech materials and also situations.

  • Assess structures and/or situations critical to a particular problem.  If the material or situation is currently homogeneous, consider the effects of making it multi-layered while using the same actions, objects, or features (or different ones).  Consider adding fibers or diverse types of people.  If the structure (or situation) is already layered but one layer is homogeneous, consider how that one layer could be changed.

Comments:  This principle is one way of accomplishing the opposite of Principle 33, Homogeneity.


Examples:
  • The windshield on an automobile is multi-layered — glass, plastic film, and glass.  This design performs two functions:  1) controls windshield shatter to protect the passengers and  2) it suppresses sound transfer for a quieter ride.

  • Lexus was first to aggressively market multi-layered body panels — noise suppression for a quieter automobile.

  • Composite wings on aircraft prove to be strong, lightweight, and more difficult to detect with radar.

  • Teams are composed of different types of expertise so that multiple strengths are present.

  • Automobile tires are composite structures made of rubber and steel wire — which improves grip, durability, reliability, and protects the tires in vulnerable areas.

  • Top American companies assemble product development teams with diverse cultural and geographical backgrounds in an attempt to meet the needs of diverse international markets.

  • Japanese samurai swords were far superior to swords in other parts of the world.  Most of the world made swords from a single piece of metal while samurai swords were made from “bands” of metal, folded and tooled together.  Each metal layer was diverse:  softer metal blends kept it from being brittle;  harder bands of folded metal kept the sword razor sharp.

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