Emerging Trends in Additive Manufacturing of Metal Matrix Composites: Opportunities and Obstacles

ABSTRACT Metal matrix composites (MMCs) are attracting increasing attention owing to their high strength, thermal stability, and wear resistance, making them essential in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and energy. However, traditional manufacturing methods often face limitations in achieving the complex geometries and uniform reinforcement dispersion necessary to optimize the performance and reliability of the final product. To address these challenges, additive manufacturing (AM) has emerged as a promising approach offering enhanced design flexibility, precise microstructural control, and improved material efficiency. This study discusses the advantages of AM in MMC research and classifies AM‐based MMC fabrication methods into three categories: (1) using reinforcement‐dispersed metal powders, (2) co‐feeding metal and reinforcement powders during AM, and (3) in situ formation of MMCs through reactive processes during AM. This review compares the characteristics and microstructural differences between these methods and highlights the mechanical and structural advantages of AM. Despite their potential, challenges, such as microstructural uniformity and process optimization, necessitate further research. Finally, future research directions for advancing AM‐based MMC fabrication technologies are discussed.