Aggregate (composite)

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Aggregate is the component of a composite material that resists compressive stress and provides bulk to the composite 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 increase the strength of composite materials. For example, the particles of stone used to make concrete typically include both sand and gravel. Many construction cement add in aggregates to increase its mechanical strength.^[1] Aggregates make up 60-80% of the volume of concrete and 70-85% of the mass of concrete. [1]