Editing Aggregate (composite) (section)

{{Short description|Term used for composite materials}}
{{More sources needed|date=April 2024}}
{{Distinguish|Construction aggregate|Aggregate (geology)}}

[[Image:Concrete aggregate grinding.JPG|thumb|300px|[[Grinding (abrasive cutting)|Grinding]] [[concrete]] exposes [[Construction aggregate|aggregate]] stones.]]

'''Aggregate''' is the component of a [[composite material]] that resists compressive stress and provides bulk to the material. For efficient filling, aggregate should be much smaller than the finished item, but have a wide variety of sizes. Aggregates are generally added to lower the amount of [[binding agent|binders]] needed and to increase the strength of composite materials. 

[[Sand]] and [[gravel]] are used as [[construction aggregate]] with [[cement]] to make [[concrete]] and increase its mechanical strength.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Struble |first=Leslie |last2=Skalny |first2=Jan |last3=Mindess |first3=Sidney |date=1980-03-01 |title=A review of the cement-aggregate bond |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0008884680900848 |journal=Cement and Concrete Research |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=277–286 |doi=10.1016/0008-8846(80)90084-8 |issn=0008-8846|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Aggregates make up 60-80% of the volume of concrete and 70-85% of the mass of concrete.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Understanding the Role of Aggregates in Concrete |url=https://baylynx.co.uk/education/understanding-the-role-of-aggregates-in-concrete/#:~:text=Aggregates%20make%20up%2060-80,to%20be%20affected%20by%20shrinkage |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=Bay-Lynx Manufacturing Inc. |language=en-CA}}</ref>