Thin-ply carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) have the advantages of light weight
good mechanical properties
good adaptability to complex shapes
strong designability
which are valuable characteristics in aerospace applications. From the views of the macro
meso and micro scales of CFRP laminates
the research progresses for the thinply effects on the basic problems of the laminate such as porosity
meso (micro) structural evolution and damage mechanism are reviewed
and the direct meanings of the important research conclusions to the development of thin-ply composites are analyzed in this paper. The controversial research results and related theoretical foundation are discussed. Furthermore
the applications of thin-ply CFRP structural parts in aircraft
foldable structures in satellite and large liquid fuel storage tanks are introduced.