Abstract: As a key issue in fusion reactor design,the ceramic coatings used as tritium permeation barriers have been attracted most researchers′ attention due to their good effects.The present paper is focused on the review of various types of coating such as oxides,aluminum based coatings,titanium based coatings and silicide coatings on stainless steel surface.Some methods to prepare aluminum based coatings are described in detail respectively.The tritium permeation mechanism of ceramic coatings is summarized and the priority research areas in the future are also predicted.