Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite material, in particular for reflectors, having a metallic support (1) in strip form, an intermediate layer and having a multilayer optical system (3) which is applied to the intermediate layer (2). A non-metallic protective layer (4), which consists of a low-absorption material and has a thickness (D4) of from 5 to 20 nm, preferably from 5 to 10 nm, is applied to the multilayer optical system (3).