Reimagining Lunar Dust: A Novel Reinforcement for Fiber‐Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composite Materials

The prohibitive cost of transporting construction materials to space underscores the need for in‐situ resource utilization strategies (ISRU). Lunar regolith dust represents an abundant and sustainable reinforcement for advanced composites. Here, we investigate the use of Black Point‐1 (BP‐1) lunar soil simulant as a novel filler in fiber‐reinforced polymer composites. Composites containing 1–10 wt% BP‐1 were systematically evaluated through tensile testing, interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) measurements, fracture toughness characterization, and low‐velocity impact experiments. At optimal loadings, BP‐1 increases ILSS by 30%–40% and impact resistance by 15% while preserving the intrinsic properties of the polymer matrix. Micro‐toughening mechanisms, including fiber bridging and crack deflection promoted by particle–matrix interactions, effectively suppress interlaminar damage initiation and propagation. Compared to conventional fillers, BP‐1 delivers superior reinforcement efficiency on a weight‐normalized basis, attributed to its angular morphology and high surface area. These results demonstrate that lunar dust can serve as an effective reinforcement for fiber‐reinforced composites, offering a resource‐efficient pathway toward durable materials for extraterrestrial and terrestrial infrastructure.