Course in Composite Repair in Competition
The Course in Composite Repair in Competition focuses on the repair of composite structures in motor and sports competition. It covers the use of composite materials such as carbon fibre and glass fibre. It focuses on repair, laminating, curing and finishing techniques, using specific tools and equipment. It is aimed at the restoration of damage to bodywork, aerodynamic parts and structural components of high-performance vehicles, ensuring structural integrity and performance.
The course includes practical work in handling epoxy resins, carbon fabrics and forming techniques, preparing participants to identify, assess and solve problems in composite structures. It provides knowledge of safety regulations and standards applicable in the competition sector, as well as the use of diagnostic tools and simulation. This course enables participants to work in roles such as composite technicians, specialist mechanics and team managers, optimising the performance and safety of vehicles.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. 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 competition boats.
Diagnose damage through visual inspection and non-destructive testing.
Design structural repairs with appropriate overlaps.
Carry out repairs using prepregs and infusion laminating.
Carry out temporary repairs under race conditions.
Control the quality of repairs through testing.
Apply chemical safety measures and waste management in the workshop.
Who it's for
- Composite repair technician wishing to specialise in Composite Repair in Competition.
- Shore team member of a racing team wishing to specialise in Composite Repair in Competition.
- Composite structures inspector wishing to specialise in Composite Repair in Competition.
- Shipyard laminator wishing to specialise in Composite Repair in Competition.
- Composites quality manager wishing to specialise in Composite Repair in Competition.
- Marine maintenance technician wishing to specialise in Composite Repair in Competition.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences who want to join racing teams.
What you'll work with
- ISO 12215 Small craft. Hull construction and scantlings
- ASTM D3039 Tensile properties of polymer matrix composite materials
- ISO 14125 Fibre-reinforced plastic composites. Determination of flexural properties
- ASTM D7136 Measuring the damage resistance of fibre-reinforced polymer matrix composites to a drop-weight impact event
- Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH)
- Royal Decree 374/2001 on the protection of health and safety against risks related to chemical agents at work
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Carbon, glass and aramid fibres1.2Epoxy, vinyl ester and polyester resins1.3Foam, balsa and honeycomb cores1.4Prepregs and autoclave laminates1.5Infusion laminates1.6Mechanical properties of laminates1.7Fibre orientation and stacking sequences1.8Behaviour of sandwich structures under impact1.9Typical structures of racing boats1.10Practice: reading a lay-up plan
2.1Types of damage in composites2.2Delamination and core debonding2.3Impact and grounding damage2.4Fatigue and microcracks2.5Moisture and osmosis damage2.6Visual inspection and tap testing2.7Ultrasonics and thermography2.8Assessment of damage severity2.9Deciding between repair or replacement2.10Laboratory: tap testing of a panel
3.1Preparation of the damaged area3.2Step sanding and bevelling3.3Calculation of overlap and plies3.4Repair with prepreg3.5Wet lay-up and infusion repair3.6Core replacement3.7Curing with heat blankets and vacuum3.8Repair of appendages and foils3.9Repair of carbon masts3.10Workshop: repair of a sandwich panel
4.1On-board repair kits4.2Fast-curing resins4.3Temporary repairs at sea4.4Managing heat and humidity outdoors4.5Repairs at technical stopovers4.6Limitations of emergency repairs4.7Damage documentation for the class4.8Communication with the designer4.9Repair cases in The Ocean Race4.10Case study: temporary repair of a rudder
5.1Tensile and flexural testing of specimens5.2Cure control and glass transition temperature5.3Measurement of porosity and fibre content5.4Traceability of materials and batches5.5Final inspection of the repair5.6Chemical hazards of resins and hardeners5.7Personal protective equipment5.8Composite waste management5.9Regulations on chemical agents in the workshop5.10Practice: quality control plan for a repair
6.1Description of the case damage6.2Diagnosis and testing6.3Structural analysis of the damage6.4Repair design6.5Material selection6.6Execution procedure6.7Quality control plan6.8Safety and waste plan6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Fully 100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it possible to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ANSYS Composite PrepPost, Siemens Fibersim, Rhinoceros 3D, Microsoft Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real stepped repair procedures on a carbon sandwich panel, ultrasonic inspection of a delamination, and flexural testing of repaired specimens. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Identify the composite materials used in competition boats.
Diagnose damage through visual inspection and non-destructive testing.
Design structural repairs with appropriate overlaps.
Carry out repairs using prepregs and infusion laminating.
Carry out temporary repairs under race conditions.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
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 consists of 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
The course uses ANSYS Composite PrepPost, Siemens Fibersim, Rhinoceros 3D and Microsoft Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own SEIUM diploma upon passing continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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