Recent progress in laser additive manufacturing of aluminum matrix composites

Laser additive manufacturing (LAM) can produce high-performance and near net shape parts of aluminum matrix composite (AMC) with higher specific strength, better wear resistance and more outstanding physical properties than aluminum alloys, which are widely used in automotive and aerospace fields. This article covers emerging researches on particle-reinforced AMCs fabricated by LAM techniques. The current research status is reviewed from the perspectives of powder preparation, microstructure characterization and mechanical properties. The microstructure evolution of AMCs is discussed in depth and the formation mechanism of in situ phase is analyzed. In addition, different strengthening mechanisms of AMCs are studied in detail. The last part summarizes the merits and demerits of AMCs and proposes the existing problems and future research directions.