Popular materials such as carbon fiber reinforced composites or even bicomponent fibers were at one point highly guarded secrets hidden in vaults surrounded by laser security systems stashed hundreds of feet underground. Well, I may have over exaggerated, but you get the idea. Extended Polytetrafluoroethylene was originally used to coat piping used in the Manhattan Project to protect from corrosion, for goodness sakes, and now you can find it in almost every kitchen and it goes by the name Teflon. Carbon fiber reinforced composites went through years of military and aerospace testing, being used for small components (such as rudders) before being widely known. Now carbon fiber composites can be seen in bicycle frames, shoe soles, tennis rackets and golf clubs. Same with Kevlar, which was first developed into ballistics protection and as a replacement for the steel in radial tires, it can now be found in consumer products such as high strength tow ropes or bike/motorcycle riding apparel.
What is the reasoning behind all of this inter-industry material usage? Simple....common interests.
I do not believe that chefs wanted to be able to withstand nuclear radiation, they simply didn't want their morning omelettes to stick. Many industries are in the market for similar product features which can be found in materials used by other industries. Carbon fiber reinforced composites are becoming increasingly popular in the automotive field because of their weight reduction capabilities while at the same time retaining strength and dimensional stability. Weight reduction design perspectives can also be found in say the athletic apparel industry where a fraction of a second can be the difference between a "W" and a long quiet bus ride home. When interest of a specific product increases, production volumes increase, ultimately decreasing cost.
The starting point of any new revolutionary material is the financial backing. In an industry where single units cost millions of dollars (cough* aerospace *cough), price really is not an option. These markets are the gateways into future, affordable materials. This is why I believe it is important to keep an open mind about materials and composites, because you never know which market they will pop up in next. Ultimately, thanks to research in process efficiency and advances in manufacturing technology, this "trickle down" effect through diverse markets, can occur. Meaning, new manufacturing techniques may develop a way to produce an extremely expensive fiber cheaper, making that fiber more appealing to a market that is more cost aware. So, next time you fasten that Velcro strap on your jacket, just think, it got its first big break on an astronaut's space suit...
