Reinforced plastics, also known as composites, are a combination of a plastic resin matrix with a reinforcing agent. In this research project, it is chosen to focus on the larger part of composites, i.e. in which the resin matrix is a thermosetting material. For structural materials, both thermoset composites as well as thermoset materials as such (to a lesser extent) are increasingly used. This is driven by the acceptance of thermoset materials as first class engineering materials. The high strength to weight ratio of engineered composites and the great improvements of the last decades coupled to the greater confidence in mechanical and physical properties of the finished components, has seen the advance of thermosets from heavy industry (foundries and friction materials to major structural components in for example aerospace and construction applications. Increasing life-time of thermoset structural materials by at least 50% and thus the durability of these materials is an important market driver to ensure the steep advance of thermosets and composites, as recognized by a number of involved industrial partners located in Flanders including Recticel, Devan Acrosoma, hexion Specialty chemicals and Solvay