Impact of additive manufacturing techniques on metal based composites: a brief review

Abstract This review examines the fundamental principles, processes, and methods of metal-based 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing (AM), which constructs parts layer by layer directly from digital models. Metal AM enables the fabrication of fully dense metallic components with high precision and speed, making it highly suitable for producing complex, high-performance parts across mechanical, civil, and medical industries. Among various AM technologies, powder bed fusion (PBF) is a leading method, which selectively fuses powder layers using an energy source such as a laser. PBF offers notable advantages in terms of material stability, mechanical durability, and cost-effective production. Unlike existing reviews that typically focus on either specific process techniques or application areas, this manuscript provides a comprehensive and holistic perspective by integrating process mechanisms, material considerations, post-processing effects, and industrial applications. By critically analyzing previous research, this review addresses current limitations, such as parameter optimization and mechanical property enhancement, and highlights emerging opportunities, including the development of efficient, low-cost production strategies. This review thereby provides a clear direction for future research and advancements in metal additive manufacturing technologies.