Definition
A condition in a composite or fiberglass layup where there is insufficient resin to fully wet out and bond the reinforcing fibers, leaving voids, dry spots, or exposed fibers and resulting in reduced strength and durability of the finished part.
Plain English
The cloth or fiber layers in a composite part don't have enough glue (resin) holding them together, so the part is weaker than it should be and may have dry, rough, or fiber-showing areas.
Context Anchor
Seen during composite structure inspection, fiberglass repair, and evaluation of bonded aircraft parts.
Derivation
Resin' comes from the Latin 'resina,' the sticky substance from trees. 'Starved' is used here in its everyday sense of 'not getting enough.' Together: the fibers aren't getting enough resin to do their job.
Why Pilots Care
Resin-starved areas can lead to delamination or failure under flight loads, affecting airworthiness of composite structures.
Analogy
It is like trying to make a strong paper-and-glue patch with too little glue. The paper may be present, but the patch will not hold together well.
Intuition Check
Do not read starved as a general surface appearance only. In this term, it specifically means there is too little resin in the fiber material.
Example Sentence 1
During the annual inspection, the mechanic flagged a resin-starved area on the wingtip fairing where the glass weave was visible through the surface.
Example Sentence 2
Applying too little resin during the layup left the patch resin starved and required rework.