The contributions in this volume bring together the experience of specialists on the highly complex technology required for manufacturing composite structural parts, presenting fundamental descriptions of the processing and properties of these advanced materials.The 34 papers give a thorough overview on recent advances in this field. The contributions have been collected in two general categories: composites based on organic matrices; and composites based on inorganic matrices. In each group properties and manufacturing technologies are analyzed together with long term durability and the special applications for such advanced materials.