Impact Damage Control in Fibre‐Reinforced Polymer Composites: Interfacial and Structural Design Strategies

ABSTRACT

Fibre‐reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are widely adopted for lightweight structures owing to high specific strength, corrosion resistance, and structural tailorability. Nevertheless, impact damage such as matrix cracking, fibre breakage, and interfacial delamination severely weaken the service stability of FRPs under complicated loads. Interface modification, structural configuration design, and sustainable material design are proven effective ways to enhance the impact resistance of FRPs. This review critically reviews recent research on improving the mechanical and impact properties of FRPs, focusing on the correlation between material design strategies and impact damage evolution mechanisms. We elaborate how chemical treatment, surface modification, and nanofiller reinforcement optimize interfacial adhesion, restrain crack growth, and improve energy absorption efficiency. Meanwhile, structural optimization methods including hybrid fibres, hierarchical configurations, sandwich panels, and 3D reinforcement are summarized for promoting damage tolerance. The application progress of recycled fibres and bio‐based composites is also reviewed for sustainable fabrication. Ultimately, prospective research orientations covering multi‐functional interfaces, recyclable composite systems, and advanced design methods are put forward to advance high‐performance eco‐friendly FRP materials.