Composite material performance is seriously degraded by the use of fasteners  True False

The statement "Composite material performance is seriously degraded by the use of fasteners" is generally considered True.

Composite materials, known for their lightweight and high-strength characteristics, may suffer from reduced performance when subjected to mechanical fasteners. This degradation can occur due to several factors:

1. Stress Concentration: Fasteners can create stress concentrations around the holes where they are installed, potentially leading to cracks or failure points in the composite material.

2. Load Distribution: Unlike metals, which can often deform and distribute loads more evenly, composites may not handle localized loads from fasteners well, leading to delamination or other structural issues.

3. Installation Issues: The processes involved in installing fasteners can lead to damage within the composite structure itself, such as fiber breakage or matrix cracking.

4. Environmental Effects: If the fasteners are not appropriately chosen for the composite material, they can lead to galvanic corrosion or other environmental degradation over time.

Overall, while fasteners are often necessary to assemble composite structures, careful consideration must be given to their design and implementation to mitigate potential performance issues.