Recent Advances in Interfacial Strengthening and Matrix Toughening of Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites

Resin-based carbon fiber composites exhibit outstanding comprehensive mechanical properties, including high specific strength, high modulus, corrosion resistance, low weight, stable dimensional performance and low thermal expansion coefficient, and they have been widely deployed in aerospace, wind power generation, automotive manufacturing, national defense equipment and sports equipment sectors. In aerospace engineering, these composites are employed to manufacture aircraft wings, fuselages and other key components, effectively reducing overall aircraft weight and enhancing fuel efficiency. For wind power facilities, large-scale turbine blades manufactured from such materials gain superior fatigue resistance and an extended service life. In automobile production, structural body parts made of these composites cut vehicle weight and improve energy utilization efficiency; in national defense equipment, they serve as lightweight protective components to boost shielding capacity, while high-performance rackets, bicycles and other sporting goods manufactured from the composites deliver better athletic performance and user comfort. Nevertheless, two critical drawbacks restrict their large-scale application in high-end manufacturing fields: insufficient interfacial bonding between carbon fibers and the resin matrix, and the inherent low ductility of cross-linked epoxy matrices. Therefore, strategies to regulate the mechanical performance of resin matrices and fiber–matrix interfaces have become a prominent research hotspot in recent years. This paper systematically reviews recent research advances regarding resin-based carbon fiber composite optimization, focusing on two mainstream technical routes: carbon fiber surface modification and resin matrix regulation. Meanwhile, prospective research directions are proposed, aiming to provide reliable theoretical references for the further development of this field.