Objective To study reasons of failure of absorbing coatings caused by physical and chemical damages so as to evaluate and improve the lifetime and guide the functional optimization of absorbing coatings. Methods A series of tests such as high-low temperature vibration and accelerated aging test, micro-topography of coatings before and after damage, and elementary analysis were taken to confirm the factors leading to failure in absorbing performance. Results During the solidification and high-low temperature vibration test, the performance failure was due to cracking and pealing caused by the change of internal stress. Exposed to UV and salt fog, the performance failure was due to pulverization and bubbling caused by coating oxidation and permeation of salt and fog. Conclusion According to the experiment results, the absorbing coating failure system and factors were established. The major factors that influenced the performance of coatings included coating thickness, adhesive force, density, functional groups of organic film forming substance and oxidative activity of absorbents. During the design of absorbing coatings, resin of low crosslinking degree should be used to reduce internal stress caused by solidification. Tolerance of high-low temperature shift and vibration can be enhanced by decreasing thickness and increasing toughness. The lifetime of coatings under atmospheric and medium corrosive condition was prolonged by introduction of corrosion resisting shielding layer and high weatherability protection layer.