Thermal Protection Coatings for Carbon Fiber‐Reinforced Polymer Composites

ABSTRACT Carbon fiber‐reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites are increasingly used in advanced engineering structures. However, their performance degrades rapidly under high‐temperature environments, making surface thermal protection coatings (TPCs) essential for reliable operation. Recent developments show that TPCs have shifted from single‐function thermal insulation to multi‐mechanism protection. These mechanisms include thermal insulation, oxidation resistance, ablation resistance, and interfacial stabilization. At the same time, coating design has moved toward lightweight architectures, structural integration, and multifunctionality. This review provides a systematic summary of the classification and fundamental protection mechanisms of TPCs. Special attention is paid to recent advances in liquid‐phase deposition, vapor‐phase deposition, thermal spraying, and cold spraying. These techniques enable improved coating densification, interfacial adhesion, and thermomechanical compatibility. In addition, performance enhancement strategies for metal‐based, ceramic‐based, metal‐ceramic composite, and polymer‐based coatings are critically evaluated. Finally, key challenges and future research directions are presented to guide the development and engineering application of thermal protection coatings for CFRP substrates (CFRP‐TPCs).