Abstract:An overview is presented of the status of pressure-resistant structural materials and structural functional materials for application in marine observation and exploration platform. The key roles of new materials in facilitating high performance marine equipment are highlighted. The most in-demand observation tasks concern the upper ocean and low cost materials must be developed to manufacture affordable equipment. For deep ocean observations, future challenges are identified for developing next-generation high strength titanium alloys, buoyancy materials, lighting materials, and lubricating and sealing materials. Recommendations are proposed regarding project organization and research paradigm update, and emphasis is placed upon identifying and solving scientific problems underlying the technical advance of the materials.