A reinforced composite material, having isotropic thermal expansion
properties and a low coefficient of thermal expansion over at least the
temperature range of from about 0.degree. C. to at least about
150.degree. C., which composite material comprises in combination a first
continuous phase comprising a three dimensional preformed bonded powder
material reinforcement, including a bonding agent, and in which the
bonded powder material is chosen from the group consisting of zirconium
tungstate, hafnium tungstate, zirconium hafnium tungstate, and mixtures
of zirconium tungstate and hafnium tungstate, and a second continuous
phase matrix material chosen from the group consisting of aluminium,
aluminium alloys in which aluminium is the major component, magnesium,
magnesium alloys in which magnesium is the major component, titanium,
titanium alloys in which titanium is the major component, engineering
thermoplastics and engineering thermoplastics containing a conventional
solid filler.