Plain English Meaning

Rubbing a surface with something rough, like sandpaper, to smooth it or get it ready for paint or repair. On composite aircraft parts, you have to be careful because sanding too much can weaken the structure underneath.

Full Definition

In composite aircraft work, sanding is the abrasive smoothing of a composite surface — typically using sandpaper, abrasive pads, or powered sanders — to shape, blend, or prepare the surface for paint, repair, or inspection. Because composite structures are built from layers of fibers (such as fiberglass, carbon, or aramid) bonded in resin, sanding can easily cut through the outer protective layer and damage the structural fibers underneath if done too aggressively.

Context Anchor

Seen in discussions of composite aircraft construction, repair, finishing, and maintenance hazards.

Derivation

Sanding comes from the older of using sand as a rough to wear down or smooth a surface. That origin helps here because the meaning still involves wearing away a surface, but in a careful and way.