Constructing Zirconia Fiber Bridging via Electrospinning to Improve Pre‐Impact and Post‐Impact Flexural Strength of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer

ABSTRACT Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite has undoubtedly revolutionized advanced engineering applications due to its lightweight and high strength. In this study, self‐made zirconia fiber (ZF) via electrospinning was introduced into the interlayer of laminated CFRP composites to construct the fiber bridging to prevent crack generation and propagation, which could improve weak regions of resin‐rich region (RRR) and interfacial transition region (ITR). Low‐velocity impact results showed ZF‐implanted CFRP composites exhibited better impact resistance than unreinforced CFRP composites. Three‐point bending testing results demonstrate that the flexural strength of CFRP composites with 0.25 wt.% ZF before and after impact yielded the greatest 26.3% and 133.4% increments respectively compared with unreinforced ones, and the former had 55% and 121.5% higher energy absorption than that of the control group in pre impact and post‐impact damaged energy absorption respectively. XRM‐CT and SEM scanning results indicated the trace of fiber bridging of ZF on the damaged surface and its effects on shifting delamination failure of unreinforced CFRP composite to shear failure of ZF‐implanted CFRP composites. Overall, introducing ZF into the interlayer might be an easy and effective method for manufacturing high‐performance CFRP composites in industries.