Manufacturing process
Composite Manufacturing
Composite manufacturing combines fibres such as carbon or glass with a resin matrix to make parts that are light, stiff and corrosion resistant — shaped by layup, molding and curing.
Process overview
Composite manufacturing combines reinforcement materials and resin systems to produce components with tailored strength, stiffness and weight characteristics. Processes can support structural panels, molded components and complex geometries using different layup, molding and curing methods. Requirements may define fiber and resin system, laminate structure, tooling, cure cycle, dimensional criteria and inspection.
The main routes differ in cost, quality and volume. Hand layup and spray-up suit large glass-fibre parts such as covers, hulls and tanks. Prepreg layup with autoclave or out-of-autoclave curing produces high-performance carbon parts with controlled fibre content. Resin transfer molding (RTM) and vacuum infusion place dry fibres in a closed mold or under a vacuum bag and draw resin through them, giving good surfaces or large structures at moderate cost. Compression molding of SMC/BMC and filament winding serve higher volumes and cylindrical parts.
Composite performance depends on fibre orientation, laminate sequence and cure, so design, tooling and process are closely linked. Typical quality checks include void content, cure verification, dimensional inspection and, for structural parts, non-destructive testing such as ultrasonic inspection. Trimming, drilling, bonding of inserts and painting are common secondary operations.
Typical capabilities & what manufacturers can produce
What manufacturers can produce
- Carbon-fibre structural panels, brackets and tubes
- Glass-fibre covers, housings and enclosures
- Filament-wound tanks, pipes and ducts
- SMC and BMC molded parts for electrical and automotive use
- Sandwich panels with foam or honeycomb cores
Capabilities under this process
Suitable materials
Materials commonly used with this process — an editorial reference, not a statement about facilities in the Metraxio network. Suitability always depends on the part and its application.
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Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer
Structural parts with a high stiffness-to-weight ratio.
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Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer
Economical covers, tanks and housings.
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Fiber-Reinforced Polymer
General fibre-reinforced polymer parts.
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PEEK
Thermoplastic matrix for high-performance composite parts.
Relevant industries
Industries whose Metraxio industry guides list Composite Manufacturing as a common process, with the typical use in each.
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Aerospace
Carbon and glass fibre panels and fairings.
What buyers should specify
The details that make Composite Manufacturing quotes comparable and let facilities be assessed on the right criteria.
- Fibre and resin system
- Carbon, glass or aramid; fabric or unidirectional; epoxy, polyester or vinyl ester; prepreg or wet layup.
- Laminate definition
- Ply book or layup schedule, fibre orientations and target thickness.
- Molding process
- Autoclave, infusion, RTM or compression molding — or open for the supplier to propose.
- Tooling
- Existing molds or new master models, and ownership.
- Surface finish
- Class A, gelcoat, painted or visible carbon weave.
- Laminate quality checks
- Void content, NDT, dimensional checks and test coupons.
- Secondary operations
- Trimming, drilling, inserts, bonding and painting.
On Metraxio these details become a structured manufacturing requirement. Processes, capabilities, materials, certifications and part size are checked against facility profiles; tolerances, finishes and inspection details travel with your drawings and are reviewed during quoting rather than used as automatic filters.
Frequently asked questions
Carbon fibre or glass fibre?
Carbon fibre offers higher stiffness and lower weight at a higher cost; glass fibre is more economical and sufficient for many covers, tanks and housings.
Do composite parts always need an autoclave?
No. Autoclave curing is common for high-performance aerospace parts, but infusion, RTM and out-of-autoclave prepregs are widely used where requirements allow.
How are composite parts inspected?
Depending on the application, through visual and dimensional checks, cure verification and non-destructive methods such as ultrasonic testing.
Start a Manufacturing Project
Upload a drawing or describe what you need. Process context from this page can be reviewed before it becomes a structured requirement.