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Why is THICKNESS TOLERANCE harder to achieve in composites than metals?
A{'text': 'Composites are stiffer', 'label': 'A'}
B{'text': 'Thickness depends on number of plies × per-ply thickness, each with its own range — variations stack up across many plies', 'label': 'B'}
C{'text': 'Composites are denser', 'label': 'C'}
D{'text': 'Metals are anisotropic', 'label': 'D'}
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. {'text': 'Thickness depends on number of plies × per-ply thickness, each with its own range — variations stack up across many plies', 'label': 'B'}
Per-ply thickness varies (e.g. ±5% per ply). A 20-ply laminate sums many such tolerances. Fix: shims, sacrificial plies, or local machining — none ideal. Drives careful design at composite-metal interfaces.
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