Fabrication strategies and performance assessment of aluminium-based metal matrix composites reinforced with ceramics: A comprehensive review

Aluminium-based metal matrix composites (AMMCs) have emerged as a vital class of advanced materials across diverse manufacturing sectors—including automotive, aerospace, and defense—owing to their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, high hardness, and enhanced mechanical performance when reinforced with suitable materials. In today's highly competitive and fast-paced industrial landscape, manufacturers aim to deliver high-performance products at minimal cost and within strict time constraints. This demand has driven extensive research into the use of various grades of aluminium for developing robust and lightweight composites. A comprehensive understanding of fabrication techniques not only allows manufacturers to optimize processes and achieve economies of scale, but also improves the material consistency and reliability. Furthermore, detailed characterization of these composites provides critical insights into their microstructure and properties, enabling the design of more durable and application-specific materials. This article presents an in-depth review of recent developments in aluminium matrix composites, with a particular focus on manufacturing methods and characterization techniques. The objective is to advance understanding of the processes and parameters that influence the performance of AMMCs, thereby supporting their effective implementation in industrial applications.