Utilizing Lunar Regolith As a Reinforcement Material for Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composite

Abstract The high cost of transporting raw materials to space — up to $2 million for a few pounds of critical resources delivered to the Moon — poses significant challenges for extraterrestrial construction. To overcome these limitations, leveraging in-situ resources, such as lunar regolith dust, is critical for advancing space infrastructure. This study investigates the use of lunar regolith as a reinforcement material in fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites, focusing on Black Point-1 (BP-1), a widely used lunar soil simulant. Glass fiber-reinforced plastic composites were fabricated with BP-1 at weight fractions up to 10 wt. %, and their interlaminar shear properties were evaluated through short beam strength tests. The results demonstrate that incorporating BP-1 can enhance the interlaminar shear strength of fiber-reinforced composites by 30–40% at optimal weight fractions. Additionally, BP-1 effectively suppresses damage propagation under shear loading through micro-toughening mechanisms, including fiber bridging. These improvements in interlaminar performance are attributed to the synergistic interaction between BP-1 particles and the polymer matrix. Overall, this study highlights the potential of lunar regolith, particularly BP-1, to enhance the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced composites, positioning it as a sustainable and efficient material for advanced applications in space exploration and extraterrestrial construction.