A Review on Selective Laser Melting of Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites

Selective laser melting (SLM) is a cost-effective technique of additive manufacturing for the manufacturing of aluminium metal matrix composite products with a near-net configuration and robust structure. This technique converts the three-dimensional model data from modelling software into products through the layer-by-layer accumulation of material. Also, it is completely opposite to conventional subtractive manufacturing techniques, which produce more waste during production. Moreover, this kind of advanced process has created more opportunities for researchers to make preferred, complicated products for attaining desirable properties. Nowadays, metal matrix composites (MMCs) are getting more attention because of their improved properties, such as enhanced strength, thermal stability, and resistance to higher temperatures and friction contact. Aluminium metal matrix composite (AMMC) is one of the best composites among the MMCs, with a lower cost of production due to the SLM process. Due to their low weight and higher ductility, AMMCs have been extensively used in aerospace and defence organizations. This chapter gives a short review of related research works on the SLM of AMMCs, which includes recent facts and highlights the challenges in this process. In addition to that, the properties of SLM-printed parts developed from different investigations and their applications are also reported.