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Composite materials are materials made up of two or more other materials. A composite you see a lot of today is made from carbon fibers combined with plastic, or a resin. This takes someting light (like palstic) and makes it stronger, thanks to the fiber. 

Not every composite material will be lighter, but the ones we need for aircraft engineering are. We need something both sturdy and light. By using different materials, we can create something that fufils these requirements. Today's airplanes can be made up of 50% composite materials.