The elastic ring has been widely concerned for its advantages of simple structure, light weight and small space occupation, and has been applied in the structural design of aero engine rotor system. The structure form and action of the elastic ring, the method of rigidity analysis, the evaluation of strength life and the research of the application of the elastic ring on SFD (squeeze film damper) were summarized. The structure characteristics of the traditional form, corrugated type, adaptive type and tooth type elastic ring were introduced. Analytical method, finite element method and experimental measurement method for stiffness analysis of elastic rings were described, and the application of elastic rings on SFD was summarized. Besides, It is pointed out that future research on elastic rings should focus on multidisciplinary multi-objective structural optimization, nonlinear dynamic control and characteristics under extreme adverse conditions. This provides reference for structural optimization design and vibration reduction application of aero engine elastic ring.