CFRP adhesive bonding reinforced by copper Mesh: A biomimetic strategy inspired by musculoskeletal interfaces

초록

Reliable joining of carbon fiber–reinforced polymers (CFRPs) remains challenging due to severe mechanical mismatch and stress concentrations at bonded interfaces. Inspired by the functional characteristics of natural entheses, this study proposes an enthesis-inspired interfacial design in which copper mesh networks are embedded within a structural adhesive to form an engineered interfacial transition layer between stiff CFRP adherends and the compliant adhesive. The present design adopts a simplified and discrete approach, rather than continuous mechanical gradation typical of natural enthesis systems. Unlike conventional surface treatments or nanoscale fillers, the proposed strategy introduces a discretized, mesoscale interlayer that modifies load-transfer pathways across the joint interface. Mechanical testing demonstrates that the enthesis-inspired copper mesh architecture significantly enhances joint performance, with an optimized 40-mesh reinforcement at a 45° orientation increasing the maximum load and displacement by 157.8% and 245.9%, respectively, compared with adhesive-only joints. Microstructural observations reveal a transition from brittle interfacial debonding to progressive damage evolution involving crack deflection, wire pull-out, and ductile bridging. These mechanisms collectively promote stress redistribution and enhanced energy dissipation within the adhesive layer. Overall, this work establishes an enthesis-inspired interfacial design framework for CFRP adhesive joints, providing a scalable and structurally robust approach for improving joint strength, toughness, and damage tolerance. © 2026 Elsevier Ltd.

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