During the last decade, the engineering community has increased the use of thermoplastic matrix
composites due to their inherent advantages over traditional thermoset composites. Thermoplastic
composites possess several advantages including: high toughness, low cost, short processing cycle
times, recycling potential, excellent environmental and chemical resistance and high damage tolerance.
Due to these advantages and to the increasing confidence and knowledge of designers and engineers
on thermoplastic polymers a new range of applications are being developed for loading conditions and
service environments where other materials just cannot perform in an efficient and cost effective
manner. Thermoplastic matrix composites have a proven record of quality and success in several
automotive applications such as in underbody panels (semi-structural), under the hood components for
moderate to high temperature applications and corrosive environments. In this paper, a review of some
of the most promising thermoplastic matrix composites for structural applications are presented
including some innovative applications for mass transit developed at the University of Alabama at
Birmingham (UAB) under a federal grant from the Department of Transportation (DOT).