Laser-Based Additive Manufacturing of Lightweight Metal Matrix Composites

Lightweight metal matrix composites (MMCs) have attracted a great attention in modern industries because of their outstanding properties including low density, high strength, low coefficient of thermal expansion, and excellent wear resistance. Additive manufacturing (AM) has recently provided new technological opportunities for fabricating MMCs parts with unique microstructures and mechanical properties. This chapter focuses on AM of lightweight MMCs including aluminium- and titanium-matrix composites which are commonly used in aerospace, automotive, and biomedical applications. The effects of process parameters, characteristics of mixed powder system as well as forces and flows in the melt pool are widely explored on the features of reinforcements incorporated into the matrix. The main objective is to discuss an in-depth relationship between the melt pool thermodynamics, reinforcement features, and the quality of additively manufactured lightweight MMCs.