Abstract:Infrared stealth is of great significance in improving the survival rate of military targets on the battlefield. Metal materials are one kind of the most promising infrared stealth materials because of their low infrared emissivity. This article described the mechanism of metal materials as infrared stealth materials in brief and reviewed the applications of metal materials and their composite materials in infrared stealth in recent years, including infrared stealth fiber membranes, infrared stealth coatings, and metal thin films. The mainstream models of infrared stealth coatings were introduced. And this article analyzed how the metal materials influence the performance of infrared stealth coatings based on models and articles, such as types, morphologies, particle sizes, etc. The modification directions for some problems existing in metal materials were summarized. Afterwards, the structural designs of metal based infrared stealth composite materials (multi-layer structure, core-shell structure, porous structure) were elaborated; Finally, prospects were given on how metal material can achieve multi band stealth, intelligent stealth, and weather resistance.