Research progress on carbon-based materials for aerospace applications

Carbon-based materials, with their lightweight, high-strength, high-temperature resistance, and corrosion resistance properties, are gradually replacing traditional metallic materials and becoming indispensable key materials in the aerospace field. This paper provides a systematic review of the latest research advancements in typical carbon-based materials such as carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, carbon/carbon (C/C) composites, and carbon aerogels for aerospace applications, with a focus on their application performance in critical scenarios such as thermal protection systems, resistance to atomic oxygen corrosion, and electromagnetic shielding. Through various performance optimization strategies such as interface control, nano-enhancement, and doping modification, the mechanical properties, thermal stability, and multifunctional integration capabilities of the carbon-based materials could be significantly improved. At the same time, this paper conducts an in-depth analysis of the current technical bottlenecks in terms of high-temperature oxidation resistance, manufacturability, and cost control, and then proposes future research directions such as multi-scale collaborative design, structure-property relationship modeling, and green manufacturing. This review aims to provide theoretical guidance and technical references for the design, optimization, and engineering application of high-performance carbon-based materials, promoting the development of aerospace equipment toward lightweight, high reliability, and multifunctionality.