Basic composites course for aeronautics
Online course of 300 hours in basic composites for aeronautics. 6 modules covering aeronautical composite materials, micromechanics and laminate theory, manufacturing processes, testing and defects, and certification and repair, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Identify the composite materials used in aeronautics.
Calculate laminate properties using classical theory.
Describe the manufacturing processes for composite structures.
Relate manufacturing defects to inspection methods.
Interpret standardised mechanical tests.
Apply certification and damage tolerance criteria.
Design a simple composite component.
Who it's for
- Composite materials engineers
- Composite manufacturing technicians
- Structural analysis engineers
- Aeronautical quality technicians
- Structural repair technicians
- Process engineers
- Engineering or science graduates looking to join aircraft manufacturers
What you'll work with
- FAA AC 20-107B Composite Aircraft Structure (FAA guidance on certifying composite structures)
- CMH-17 Composite Materials Handbook (reference data and methods for composites)
- EASA CS-25.603 and CS-25.613 Materials and design properties (certification requirements for materials and design values)
- ASTM D3039 Tensile Properties of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials (tensile testing of composites)
- ASTM D7136 Damage Resistance of a Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composite to a Drop-Weight Impact Event (drop-weight impact testing)
- ASTM D5528 Mode I Interlaminar Fracture Toughness (mode I delamination toughness testing)
- ISO 14125 Determination of flexural properties of fibre-reinforced plastic composites (flexural testing of composites)
- Altair HyperWorks
- Ansys Composite PrepPost
- Fibersim
- eLamX
6 modules
1.1Thermoset and thermoplastic matrices1.2Carbon, glass and aramid fibres1.3Prepregs and dry fabrics1.4Honeycomb and foam cores1.5Fibre–matrix interface1.6Specific properties compared with metallic alloys1.7Use in primary aircraft structures1.8Evolution of composites in commercial aircraft1.9Storage and shelf life of prepregs1.10Practical exercise: selecting the material for a panel
2.1Rule of mixtures2.2Behaviour of the orthotropic ply2.3Classical laminate theory2.4ABD stiffness matrices2.5Stacking sequences and orientations2.6Symmetric and balanced laminates2.7Thermal residual stresses2.8Tsai-Wu and Hashin failure criteria2.9Stiffness of sandwich structures2.10Lab: calculating a laminate with software
3.1Hand lay-up and vacuum bagging3.2Autoclave curing3.3Out-of-autoclave processes3.4Resin transfer moulding (RTM)3.5Automated tape laying (ATL)3.6Automated fibre placement (AFP)3.7Thermoplastic forming3.8Machining and drilling of composites3.9Cure process control3.10Workshop: prepreg cure cycle
4.1Tensile and compression tests4.2In-plane shear tests4.3Interlaminar fracture toughness4.4Porosity and delaminations4.5Barely visible impact damage4.6Ultrasonic inspection4.7Pulsed active thermography4.8Effect of moisture and temperature4.9Certification test pyramid4.10Case study: impact damage on a panel
5.1Certification of composite structures5.2Damage tolerance in composites5.3Design allowables5.4Bolted and bonded repairs5.5Structural repair manual (SRM)5.6Lightning strike protection5.7Manufacturing quality5.8Recycling of composite materials5.9Sustainability and new resins5.10Practical exercise: designing a patch repair
6.1Selecting the study component6.2Design requirements and loads6.3Material selection6.4Laminate design6.5Proposed manufacturing process6.6Validation test plan6.7Analysis of certification requirements6.8Manufacturing cost estimate6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Altair HyperWorks, Ansys Composite PrepPost, Fibersim and eLamX, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: tensile testing of laminate specimens, drop-weight impact testing and ultrasonic inspection of a delaminated panel. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Standards covered: FAA AC 20-107B Composite Aircraft Structure; CMH-17 Composite Materials Handbook; EASA CS-25.603 and CS-25.613 Materials and design properties; ASTM D3039 Tensile Properties of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials; ASTM D7136 Damage Resistance of a Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composite to a Drop-Weight Impact Event; ASTM D5528 Mode I Interlaminar Fracture Toughness; ISO 14125 Determination of flexural properties of fibre-reinforced plastic composites.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Altair HyperWorks, Ansys Composite PrepPost, Fibersim and eLamX, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required; you need an internet connection, a computer capable of running the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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