Composite Materials

Composite Fabrication Handbook #3 continues this practical, hands-on series on composites with helpful how-to projects that cover a variety of topics geared toward assisting home-builders in completing their composite projects. Handbook #3 starts off where Handbook #2 ended, expanding on mold-making techniques including special methods for creating molds and composite copies of existing parts, fabricating molds from clay models, and making advanced mold systems using computer modeling software. Several alternative methods of fabricating one-off parts are presented in this book, including molding over frameworks and human forms, as well as using stock composites to build simple structures.

Hands-on projects include an automotive body panel, (formed by using an existing panel to make the mold), a camper shell, and a hollow-body guitar. Composite repairs are also covered in this book, along with a primer on computer-aided analysis of composites structures and an inside look at how professional fabricators build high tech composite parts for aerospace, racing and the sports industries.

Composite Materials handbook #3 demonstrates advanced mold making techniques, including the use of routers and CNC machines in the making of molds. The use of silicone-compression molds, to form complex shapes, is also included.

This is the book for anyone who’s ready to advance beyond the methods and projects presented in Handbooks #1 and #2. Like those two books, this one documents a variety of projects that can be duplicated in your shop or garage. Take your composite fabrication skills to the next level with Composite Materials Handbook #3.