A high-order Perfectly Matched Layer (PML) applied to time domain finite element method (TDFEM) is obtained by proper selection of the parameter of PML. Furthermore, a composite PML composed of UPML and SCPML is derived, and the application of it to explicit TDFEM is investigated. The reflection coefficient of waveguide is calculated using the high-order PML and composite PML, the result shows that the finite element calculation result is accurate and stable. Compared with the ordinary PML, the numerical results show that the high-order PML and composite PML are highly effective in absorbing both evanescent and low-frequency waves, which will lay the good foundation for the widespread use of TDFEM.