Carbon nanotube, as a one-dimension nanomaterial with a lightweight has excellent mechanical properties like high toughness and high strength. It can toughen ceramics by composing with the engineering ceramics. And it is considered as an ideal reinforcement phase in ceramic materials. In this paper, the toughening mechanism of carbon nanotubes (including grain refinement, toughness of short fiber and toughening mechanism of MWCNT’s collapse), and simulation results of the micro mechanical behavior of carbon nanotube and ceramic matrix interface by using the Shear-Lag-Model-Based Stress Analysis were discussed based on the carbon nanotube - ceramic composite experimental and researches. And then the comprehensive analysis of strengthening and toughening mechanism of carbon nanotubes in ceramic matrix is given, the current research problems are summarized and future research directions are considered.
Key words: Composite Material, Carbon Nanotubes, Ceramic Materials, Reinforced mechanism