Composite Layup

Composite layup is the manufacturing process of building up plies of carbon, glass, or aramid fiber in a polymer matrix to form a structural part. Aircraft skins, wing spars, fuselage barrels, fan blades, and rocket interstages are all composite layups today. The two dominant processes are prepreg (cured under heat and pressure in an autoclave, the legacy standard) and out-of-autoclave infusion. Ply orientation matters: a 90-degree ply where a 0-degree ply belongs degrades the part by 50-plus percent. NDI is required on every part. The talent pool with real autoclave experience is small. Roles where this matters: Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality.