All worksheets / Composite Materials
Edition 2026Active Merit Badge
Composite Materials
Official Requirements & Fillable Workbook · 2026 Edition
Composite Materials explores the engineering of high-performance engineered materials made from fibers and resin matrices—used in aerospace, high-speed racing, prosthetics, and sporting goods. You will learn lab safety and SDS management, compare composites with metals and wood, analyze reinforcements like carbon fiber and fiberglass, formulate thermoset and thermoplastic resins, and lay up two custom composite projects.
Key Requirements Covered:
- Resin Matrices & Reinforcing Fibers
- Safety, Ventilation & Curing Chemistry
- Lamination & Vacuum Bagging Techniques
- Fabricating Functional Composite Parts
7Printable Pages
6Requirements
2026Reqs Revised
What is on the worksheet: Composite Materials Requirements
Every requirement for the Composite Materials merit badge, word for word as published, with room to write under each one on the printed worksheet.
1Hazards, Safe Handling, and SDS
Do the following:
- a Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while working with composite materials and what you should do to anticipate, mitigate, and prevent, and respond to these hazards. Describe the appropriate safety gear and clothing that should be used when working with composite materials.
- b Explain the precautions that must be taken when handling, storing, and disposing of resins, reinforcements, and other materials used in composites. Include in your discussion the importance of health, safety, and environmental responsibility and awareness.
- c Describe what a safety data sheet (SDS) is and tell why it is used.
2What Composites Are and Material Comparisons
Do the following:
- a Explain what composite materials are. Include a brief history of composites and how they have developed.
- b Compare the similarities and differences between composites and wood, aluminum, copper, and steel. Describe the physical, electrical, mechanical, corrosive, flammability, cost, and other such properties. For each of these raw materials, give one example of how it can be shaped and used for a specific application.
3Manufacturing, Reinforcements, and Resins
Describe how composite materials are made. Then do the following:
- a Discuss three different composite reinforcement materials, their positive and negative characteristics, and their uses. Obtain the SDS for each one and discuss the toxicity, disposal, and safe-handling sections for these materials.
- b Discuss three different resins used in composites, their positive and negative characteristics, and their uses. Obtain the SDS for each one and discuss the toxicity, disposal, and safe-handling sections for these materials. Include thermoset resins and thermoplastic resins in your discussion.
- c For each of the three resins you chose for requirement 3(b), think of a new application that might be worth developing.
4Facility Visit or Web Research
With your parent or guardian's permission and your counselor's approval, do ONE of the following:
- a Visit a company that manufactures or repairs products made with composites. Discuss what you learned with your counselor.
- b Find three composites-related websites. Share and discuss what you learned with your counselor.
5Composite Projects and Evaluation
Do the following:
- a Use composite materials to complete two projects, at least one of which must come from the Composite Materials merit badge pamphlet. The second project may come from the pamphlet OR may be one you select on your own that has been approved by your counselor in advance.
- b With your counselor's assistance, find an appropriate site where the projects can be safely completed under your counselor's supervision and/or the supervision of an adult approved by your counselor who is knowledgeable about composites.
- c With your counselor, determine how the finished projects will be evaluated. Using those guidelines, evaluate the completed projects with your counselor.
6Careers or Hobby Exploration
Do ONE of the following:
- a Explore careers related to the Composite Materials merit badge. Research one career to learn about the training and education needed, costs, job prospects, salary, job duties, and career advancement. Your research methods may include—with your parent or guardian's permission—an internet or library search, an interview with a professional in the field, or a visit to a location where people in this career work. Discuss with your counselor both your findings and what about this profession might make it an interesting career.
- b Explore how you could use knowledge and skills from the Composite Materials merit badge to pursue a hobby or interest. Research any training needed, expenses, and organizations that promote or support it. Discuss with your counselor what short-term and long-term goals you might have if you pursued this.
Two dates, two different things
Requirements Revision vs. Worksheet Date
Scouting America last revised the Composite Materials requirements in 2026. That is the badge, not this sheet — an older year does not mean the worksheet is out of date.
Verbatim Fidelity & Verification
This worksheet was checked against https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/composite-materials/ in Aug 2026 and reproduces the requirements word for word. Both dates are printed on the sheet, so a copy in a binder can always be placed in time.
Requirement text is © Scouting America, reproduced verbatim. The worksheet layout and design are original to this project.
Nearby badges
Communication is essential to leadership, teamwork, and lifelong success. In this Eagle-required badge, you will analyze your personal communication and listening habits, write and deliver a formal five-minute speech, interview an expert, report objectively on a public meeting, teach a skill using the EDGE method, create digital or print publications, and serve as master of ceremonies for a major unit event.
Key Requirements Covered:
- Public Speaking & Presentation Skills
- Interviews & Active Listening
- Meeting Leadership & Parliamentary Order
- Digital Communication & Community Outreach
Competitive Gaming explores the fast-growing world of video games and esports. You will examine the history of gaming from early arcade cabinets to global arenas, apply the Scout Oath and Law to digital communities to counter toxicity, maintain balanced screen-time, sleep, and physical fitness habits, build a custom gaming PC parts list, and explore collegiate esports and careers across game development and broadcast production.
Key Requirements Covered:
- Ergonomics, Nutrition & Healthy Gaming
- Sportsmanship & Online Code of Conduct
- Team Strategy, Communication & Review
- Esports Tournament Management & Careers
Cooking is an Eagle-required badge about nourishing yourself, your family, and your patrol safely and well. You will master food safety and nutrition guidelines, plan balanced multi-day menus, cook meals at home, outdoors at camp, and on the trail using a wide variety of cooking methods, and learn to manage time, budgets, and clean-up.
Key Requirements Covered:
- Food Safety, Sanitation & Cross-Contamination
- Nutritional Planning & Balanced Menus
- Camp & Trail Cooking Techniques
- Kitchen Budgeting, Cooking & Clean-up
Crime Prevention teaches how laws protect communities and how individuals, families, and neighborhoods work together to prevent crime. You will study why people commit crimes, conduct a physical security survey of a home or facility, teach personal protection using the EDGE method, examine retail loss prevention and online scams, and interview a law enforcement officer or civil servant.
Key Requirements Covered:
- Home Security & Risk Assessment
- Community Policing & Neighborhood Watch
- Cybercrime Prevention & Identity Theft
- Law Enforcement Careers & Crime Analysis
