Key Points on Fiber Reinforcement
Key Points on Fiber Reinforcement
Aerospace Composites Course
Buy now
Learn more
1. Introduction to Aerospace Composites
Welcome to the DarkAero Aerospace Composites Course!
3
What are Aerospace Composites?
Why Use Composite Materials?
Mechanics of Materials
Composites vs Metals
Defining Design Requirements - Wing Example
1
2. Fiber Reinforcements
Carbon Fiber
2
Glass Fiber
Aramid Fiber
Boron Fiber
3
Other Fiber Types
2
Tensile Strength - Fibers vs Metals
Specific Strength - Fibers vs Metals
Tensile Modulus - Fibers vs Metals
Specific Modulus - Fibers vs Metals
Elongation at Break - Fibers vs Metals
Density - Fibers vs Metals
Cloth Coordinate System Explained
Unidirectional Weaves
Plain Weaves
Twill Weaves
Multiaxial Non-Crimp Fabric
Other Weave Types
How Fiber Grades Vary by Manufacturer
Understanding Cloth Nomenclature
Key Points on Fiber Reinforcement
4
3. Matrix Materials (Resin)
Polymer Matrix Materials - Thermoset vs Thermoplastic
Overview of Thermoset Matrix Materials
Epoxy Resins
Epoxy - Understanding the Technical Datasheet
Vinyl Ester Resins
Polyester Resins
Phenolic Resins
Key Points on Matrix Materials
4. Coupling Agents
Coupling Agents
5. Core Materials
Overview of Core Materials
Foam Cores
2
Honeycomb Core Materials
3
Soric Infusible Core Material
Other Core Materials
2
Key Points on Core Materials
6. Manufacturing Processes
Wet Layup
Wet Layup + Vacuum Bag
2
Infusion
6
Infusion Demonstration
11
Out-of-Autoclave Prepreg
Autoclave Prepreg
4
Key Points on Manufacturing Processes
7. Curing
Measuring Cure
Mechanical Properties
Thermal Properties
Key Points on Curing
8. Post Processing
Demolding
Trimming
Inspection and Quality Checks - Defects
Quality Inspection Tools - Infrared Camera
Quality Inspection Tools - Hardness and Thickness
Quality Inspection Tools - Tap Testing Hammer
Quality Inspection Tools - X-Ray
Quality Inspection - Ultrasonic Testing
Surface Finishing
9. Composite Assemblies
Bonding
Bonding Failures & Bonded Joint Geometry
Adhesive Types
Bonding Procedure
4
Fasteners
2
Hardpoints
2
Key Points on Composite Assemblies
10. Designing Composite Structures
Establishing Requirements
Composites vs Metals vs Plastics
2
Selection of Fiber, Matrix, Core, & Process
Fiber Orientation and Layup Schedule Guidelines
Composite Layup Guidelines - Rule 1
6
Composite Layup Guidelines - Rule 2
Composite Layup Guidelines - Rule 3
Composite Layup Guidelines - Rule 4
2
Composite Layup Guidelines - Carpet Plots
11. Testing
Testing Structures - The Building Block Approach
Standardized Tests
Building Block Approach on the DarkAero 1
2
12. Composite Repair
Damage Evaluation
Repair Procedures
Thank You for Taking the Course!
5
Appendix
Appendix A - Terminology
Appendix B - Core Materials Comparison Table
Appendix C - Weave Types Comparison Table
Appendix D - Manufacturing Process Comparison Table
Appendix E - Infusion Resin Material Properties
Appendix F - Example Fiber to Resin Ratio Calculation
4
Appendix G - References
Purchase Guide (Updated 09/04/2025)
Infusion Process Guide (PDF)
Composite Bonding Process Guide (PDF)
DarkAero Aluminum Mold Support Structure Plans (Updated 06/30/2023)
Preview unavailable
You must log in or sign up to view this lesson.
Login
Sign up
Aerospace Composites Course
Buy now
Learn more
1. Introduction to Aerospace Composites
Welcome to the DarkAero Aerospace Composites Course!
3
What are Aerospace Composites?
Why Use Composite Materials?
Mechanics of Materials
Composites vs Metals
Defining Design Requirements - Wing Example
1
2. Fiber Reinforcements
Carbon Fiber
2
Glass Fiber
Aramid Fiber
Boron Fiber
3
Other Fiber Types
2
Tensile Strength - Fibers vs Metals
Specific Strength - Fibers vs Metals
Tensile Modulus - Fibers vs Metals
Specific Modulus - Fibers vs Metals
Elongation at Break - Fibers vs Metals
Density - Fibers vs Metals
Cloth Coordinate System Explained
Unidirectional Weaves
Plain Weaves
Twill Weaves
Multiaxial Non-Crimp Fabric
Other Weave Types
How Fiber Grades Vary by Manufacturer
Understanding Cloth Nomenclature
Key Points on Fiber Reinforcement
4
3. Matrix Materials (Resin)
Polymer Matrix Materials - Thermoset vs Thermoplastic
Overview of Thermoset Matrix Materials
Epoxy Resins
Epoxy - Understanding the Technical Datasheet
Vinyl Ester Resins
Polyester Resins
Phenolic Resins
Key Points on Matrix Materials
4. Coupling Agents
Coupling Agents
5. Core Materials
Overview of Core Materials
Foam Cores
2
Honeycomb Core Materials
3
Soric Infusible Core Material
Other Core Materials
2
Key Points on Core Materials
6. Manufacturing Processes
Wet Layup
Wet Layup + Vacuum Bag
2
Infusion
6
Infusion Demonstration
11
Out-of-Autoclave Prepreg
Autoclave Prepreg
4
Key Points on Manufacturing Processes
7. Curing
Measuring Cure
Mechanical Properties
Thermal Properties
Key Points on Curing
8. Post Processing
Demolding
Trimming
Inspection and Quality Checks - Defects
Quality Inspection Tools - Infrared Camera
Quality Inspection Tools - Hardness and Thickness
Quality Inspection Tools - Tap Testing Hammer
Quality Inspection Tools - X-Ray
Quality Inspection - Ultrasonic Testing
Surface Finishing
9. Composite Assemblies
Bonding
Bonding Failures & Bonded Joint Geometry
Adhesive Types
Bonding Procedure
4
Fasteners
2
Hardpoints
2
Key Points on Composite Assemblies
10. Designing Composite Structures
Establishing Requirements
Composites vs Metals vs Plastics
2
Selection of Fiber, Matrix, Core, & Process
Fiber Orientation and Layup Schedule Guidelines
Composite Layup Guidelines - Rule 1
6
Composite Layup Guidelines - Rule 2
Composite Layup Guidelines - Rule 3
Composite Layup Guidelines - Rule 4
2
Composite Layup Guidelines - Carpet Plots
11. Testing
Testing Structures - The Building Block Approach
Standardized Tests
Building Block Approach on the DarkAero 1
2
12. Composite Repair
Damage Evaluation
Repair Procedures
Thank You for Taking the Course!
5
Appendix
Appendix A - Terminology
Appendix B - Core Materials Comparison Table
Appendix C - Weave Types Comparison Table
Appendix D - Manufacturing Process Comparison Table
Appendix E - Infusion Resin Material Properties
Appendix F - Example Fiber to Resin Ratio Calculation
4
Appendix G - References
Purchase Guide (Updated 09/04/2025)
Infusion Process Guide (PDF)
Composite Bonding Process Guide (PDF)
DarkAero Aluminum Mold Support Structure Plans (Updated 06/30/2023)