Composite materials are utilized in military applications for their unique physical and structural properties, but need to be properly incorporated into designs in order to avoid degradation due to corrosion. Many of the constituent materials used in composite material systems are compatible with mating metallic fasteners and components, while others require special features in order to isolate them and prevent galvanic corrosion. Corrosion concerns with these applications have traditionally been associated with aluminum fittings that are attached to a carbon/epoxy component, whereby a protective layer is necessary to prevent contact between the carbon fibers and the aluminum. More recent material systems, such as metal matrix composites, require corrosion control at the microscopic level to prevent galvanic corrosion between the reinforcement fibers or particles and the matrix materials, as well as
other forms of corrosion. This paper is primarily a literature review that discusses the various methods employed to control corrosion associated with composite materials in military applications, recent
efforts to improve the technology, and opportunities for future related initiatives.