With the growing demand for lightweight

intelligent

and long-life aerospace equipment

self-healing functional composite coatings (SHFCs) have become a critical technology to address extreme environmental challenges

owing to their dynamic damage-repair mechanisms and multifunctional synergy. This article systematically reviews the classification

repair mechanisms

and functional applications of self-healing coatings in aviation. SHFCs are categorized into extrinsic and intrinsic types: Extrinsic coatings employ microcapsules or hollow fibers to store healing agents

enabling physical filling or chemical repair of damage; Intrinsic coatings rely on dynamic covalent bonds (e.g.

Diels–Alder bonds

disulfide bonds) or non-covalent bonds (e.g.

hydrogen bonds

metal coordination) to achieve repeated self-healing through molecular chain reorganization. Furthermore

synergistic design strategies for functionalized SHFCs are highlighted

including corrosionresistant self-healing coatings

superhydrophobic self-healing coatings and conductive/electromagnetic shielding self-healing coatings. Future research should focus on optimizing the responsiveness of dynamic chemical bonds

resolving large-scale manufacturing bottlenecks

and expanding applications in extreme environments such as high temperatures and radiation

thereby providing innovative solutions to enhance the reliability and intelligent development of aerospace equipment.