A Comprehensive Guide to Composites

An insider’s viewpoint on the tips and techniques used by the pros to fabricate advanced composite parts.

Graphite, carbon fiber, Kevlar, prepregs—these are advanced composites in wide use by today’s manufacturers. The processes and skills needed to produce composite parts and components are unique; training in this high-skills sector is vital and opens up many opportunities to employees and apprentices in the industry.

This book provides an insider’s viewpoint on the tips and techniques used by the pros to fabricate advanced composite parts. The culmination of more than 30 years of industry experience, it imparts valuable insight on safety, shop and equipment needs, engineering, materials, lay-up, fabrication and quality control. The author captures lessons, games, safety, tests and projects in place, explaining them in the most pertinent context possible. Students and instructors will benefit from his coverage of lean manufacturing, STEM, and advanced composites, all in one book.

Composite manufacturing skills are marketable and in high demand, especially in the aerospace, automotive, sports, medical, marine, and construction industries. After reading this book, not only will students understand the basic skills required by today’s composite industry, they will also have foundational knowledge to pursue higher education goals in material science, composite engineering, composite research and development.