COMPOSITE BASICS

This manual explains the theory, working techniques, and details of various types of glass, carbon and kevlar fibers, resins, adhesives, foams, and honeycombs for light airplane construction and repair. Further sections include the basics of manufacturing and design methods and are extremely relevant for those employed by component manufacturers and those involved in aircraft design projects. Tooling and manufacturing methods, designing, stress, loads and load testing, vacuum bagging, autoclaves, and more are discussed in a technical, yet understandable manner.

This is more than a simple "how to" manual. It contains the information to give confidence to the builder or technician tasked in the design and construction of parts for simple and complex aircraft.

Primary emphasis is placed on structures used in amateur built aircraft, high performance boats and race cars. Materials addressed are E-glass, S-glass, carbons, the several Kevlars. Commonly used resins and the fiber-resin interfaces are also covered. The application of these materials to both solid laminates and sandwich structures is explained with examples of actual structures in current use.