General introduction -- Fibres, matrices, and their architecture in composites -- Elastic deformation of long fibre composites -- Tensor analysis of anisotropic materials and the elastic deformation of laminae -- Elastic deformation of laminates -- Stresses and strains in short fibre and particulate composites -- The interface region -- Stress-based treatment of the strength of composites -- Fracture mechanics and the toughness of composites -- Thermal effects in composites -- Surface coatings as composite systems -- Highly porous materials as composite systems -- Biocomposites and recycling -- Scale effects and nanocomposites -- Fabrication of composites -- Applications of composites.