Copper-carbon(carbon material mainly includes graphite,carbon fiber,carbon nanotubes,graphene,etc.) composite materials are widely used as current-carrying friction pairs in the field of aerospace,rail transit,power electronics,weapons and other fields due to their excellent electrical conductivity,thermal conductivity,lubrication and other properties.With the increasingly stringent service conditions of current carrying friction pairs,the performance requirements for copper-carbon composite materials are becoming higher.The types and compositions of copper-carbon composite materials were introduced,the problems existing in copper-carbon composite materials were pointed out,such as low strength,non wetting between copper matrix and carbon material reinforcement phase.The interface improvement and preparation methods of copper-carbon composite materials were reviewed,and the development direction of copper-carbon composites in the future was prospected.