CURING THERMOSET MATERIAL USING ELECTRIC HEATER(S) FOR THERMAL ANTI-ICING SYSTEM

A method is provided during which a composite preform is provided that includes an electric heater (44), fiber-reinforcement and thermoset material. The composite preform is consolidated to provide a composite aircraft component (22). The consolidating includes heating the thermoset material using the electric heater (44) to cure the thermoset material. The electric heater (44) and the fiber-reinforcement are embedded within the cured thermoset material. The electric heater (44) is configured as a part of a thermal anti-icing system (24) for melting and/or preventing ice accumulation on an exterior surface (28) of the composite aircraft component (22).