Laser Additive Manufacturing of Aluminium Matrix Composites

Aluminium metal matrix composite (AMMC) and Aluminium nanocomposite (ANC) parts produced by laser additive manufacturing (LAM) have greater strength, improved resistance to wear, and good mechanical characteristics than matrix materials, commonly used in the defense, aerospace, and automobile industries. Laser additive manufacturing can achieve rapid relatively close structure and full densification of high-performance metal components, due to its greater energy density, manufacturing precision is high, fast manufacturing time and tailored production. By merging the benefits of aluminium alloy and its composite material and additive manufacturing, AMMC and ANC samples developed using LAM are able to be manufacture in a minimum time and with great forming efficiency and adjustable mechanical characteristics. This chapter focuses on the recent state of LAM processed AMMC and ANC research and development. To better understand AMMC and ANC in LAM technology, powder processing, surface morphology characterization, mechanical characteristics, and the process of strengthening mechanism will be addressed. Finally, certain concerns and developments in the production of AMMC and ANC samples developed using LAM will be discussed.