Abstract: A method of molding a composite material which includes a fiber reinforcement within a resin comprises laying alternately on a mold first and second layers of fiber material pre-impregnated with uncured resin, where the resin content of the first layer is different from that of the second layer and the combination of layers gives the desired overall total volume fraction of fibers and resin in the laminate, enclosing the layers within an impervious membrane, evacuating the membrane and applying heat to the layers to flow gellate and at least partially cure the resin and during the process to allow released gasses and vapors to flow along the layers of lower resin content towards the membrane for subsequent evaluation.