Abstract: In order to calculate the residual stress of CFRP layers and metal liner for composite cylinders consisting of alternate multi-angle CFRP winding layers and thin-walled metal liner, a superposition algorithm layer by layer for CFRP layers and metal liner residual stress was proposed, reflecting on the thick walled cylinder theory and the elastic superposition theory of orthotropic material, and the effect of removing mandrel was under consideration as well. The influence of the spiral layers winding angle and the thickness of mandrel on the residual stress of CFRP layers and steel liner was analyzed with constant winding tension. The greater the thickness of mandrel, the lower the residual stress of CFRP layers is, but too thick mandrel weakens the enhancement effect of steel liner profiting from winding tension. When the spiral winding angle is in 65°, the residual stress of hoop layers is minimum, and the residual stress of spiral layers and steel liner is maximum. For the enhancement effect for steel liner, the yield loading pressure of steel liner was measured by the acoustic emission characteristics of the steel liner and the strain measurement of composite cylinder outer edge in the loading process based on water-pressure test. The test results were basically consistent with the theoretical prediction values and the validity of the algorithm proposed above was verified. A optimization design ideal of fibra intertwist tension system for composite cylinder with alternate multi-angle winding layers, which withstands an internal pressure load, was proposed to improve the winding quality, based on the hypothesis of equal residual stress in hoop and spiral layers, respectively.