Today, when we think of composite materials, we often associate them with materials that are shaped by engineering knowledge, difficult to produce, high in cost, and possess highly complex structures. However, the origins of composite materials produced by mankind date back to ancient times. One of the oldest known composite materials is plywood, which was produced by joining wooden pieces together and gluing them in the Mesopotamian region before Christ. In the 1200s, the Mongols invented bows that were highly effective in helping them win battles and fit the modern definition of composites. These bows were made from wood, horn, leather, deer antlers, tendons, and bamboo. The main body of the bow was made from horns, while tendons and leather held the structure together. Animal horn was placed on the inner surface of the bow, providing resistance to compressive forces, while tendons were added to the outer surface, increasing resistance to tensile forces. Fish glue was used as an adhesive.
Mongolian Bow
The advantages of composite bows can be listed as follows:
- Compact and portable: Despite their small size, they could generate great power.
- Lightweight and strong: They provided high kinetic energy even over long distances.
- Weather resistance: When properly stored, they could maintain functionality even under harsh climatic conditions.
The Mongols' success in using composite materials not only shows their advanced skills on the battlefield but also in engineering and technological adaptation. For instance, it is known that natural composites were similarly used in the construction of war chariots and other equipment. The Mongol Empire demonstrated an innovative approach, using not only composite bows but also other natural composite materials in various fields. Natural composites provided the Mongols with durability, lightness, and adaptability in both warfare and daily life, strengthening their way of life. Here are other examples of natural composites used by the Mongols:
- Armor and protective materials
- War chariots and tent structures
- Equestrian equipment
- Arrow and spear technology
- Wheel and vehicle materials
The Mongols' mastery in using natural composites shows their harmony with nature and their ability to use environmental materials in innovative ways. These materials supported the Mongols' nomadic lifestyle, enhancing their mobility and ensuring their superiority on the battlefield.
In Ottoman Turkish archery during the Ottoman period, bows generally had a structure known as the "composite bow." These bows were typically made of wood (often maple), horn (buffalo horn), animal tendons, and glue (cod fish air bladders).
Ottoman Era Composite Bow Materials
The 1930s are considered the years when the production of modern composite materials began. Owens Corning produced the first fiber-reinforced composite in 1935. In 1938, epoxy resins with superior properties began to be used. In the 1940s, especially with the onset of World War II, interest in composites increased. In 1947, composite parts began to be used in automobile production, and by the 1950s, various composite production methods had been developed. In 1961, the patent for the first carbon fiber-reinforced composite, which had superior properties compared to glass fiber-reinforced composites, was granted.
Recent Developments in Composites
The need for lightweight design in the aerospace and motorsport industries has increased the demand for carbon fiber-reinforced composite materials. The production of composite materials has been gradually increasing each year. The effects of climate change have highlighted the importance of energy optimization, particularly in the transportation sector. With these developments, in recent years, carbon and glass fiber-reinforced composite systems, with the contribution of new technology production systems, have increasingly gained strategic importance in the category of advanced engineering materials, particularly in civil aviation, defense industry, energy sector, and motorsport industries.
