Method of preparing a bonding surface on a composite laminate and associated composite laminate

An interim composite laminate comprising:

• a full thickness portion comprising multiple fiber-reinforced plies arranged in a layup, the full thickness portion comprising main body plies, having a first combined thickness, and peel plies, having a second combined thickness;
• and
• an edge portion defined by a portion of the peel plies, extending from the full thickness portion about a periphery of the full thickness portion, and defining a lip with a thickness equal to the second combined thickness of the peel plies;
• wherein:
• the lip is configured to facilitate initiation of a crack between the peel plies and the main body plies of the full thickness portion upon application of a force to the lip;
• and
• after initiation of the crack, the peel plies of the full thickness portion are configured to be removed from the main body plies by peeling the lip away from the main body plies to form a composite laminate and expose a bonding surface on the composite laminate.

A method for forming a laminate spacer, the method comprising:

• laying up multiple fiber-reinforced plies to form a layup wherein the layup comprises main body plies, having a first combined thickness, and peel plies, having a second combined thickness;
• selectively removing a portion of the main body plies along an edge portion of the layup to form an interim composite laminate and to create a lip defined by a portion of the peel plies having a thickness equal to the second combined thickness;
• fixing the interim composite laminate relative to a support object so that the peel plies are facing the support object and the lip is overhanging an edge of the support object;
• applying a force to the lip to initiate a crack between the peel plies and the main body plies within the interim composite laminate;
• peeling the lip away from the main body plies to remove the peel plies from the main body plies to form the laminate spacer and expose a bonding surface on the laminate spacer;
• applying an adhesive to the bonding surface of the laminate spacer;
• and
• bonding the bonding surface of the laminate spacer to a laminate-receiving surface of a lower wing panel of an aircraft, wherein the laminate spacer is configured to provide a predetermined spacing between a wing access door and the lower wing panel.