Abstract: To improve the specific energy absorption of thin-walled structure, carbon fiber reinforced polymer(CFRP) composite-aluminum (CFRP-Al) square tube with different braiding angles were prepared by circular braiding technology. The CFRP-Al square tubes with various braiding angles, tube lengths and tube thicknesses were subjected to quasi-static axial compression test to study the effect of the braiding angle of CFRP composite layer on the deformation mode and specific energy absorption. The results show that the CFRP composite layer can decrease the flexibility and prevent Euler buckling mode. The CFRP composite layer with large braiding angle can effectively carry the transverse tension caused by the folding of tube, and sequentially prevent corner splitting. In addition, the specific energy absorption of CFRP-Al square tube improves with the increase of braiding angle.