Additive manufacturing of Al-based metal matrix composites: A review with bibliometric perspective on biomedical applications

Aluminium metal matrix composites (Al-MMCs) fabricated with additive manufacturing (AM) processes are now catching attention for potential usage in biomedical devices, having the merits of controllable mechanical strength, light weight, and design complexity that are otherwise impossible using the conventional approach. This review covers the state-of-art in AM processes, e.g., selective laser melting (SLM), directed energy deposition (DED), electron beam melting (EBM), and binder jetting for fabricating Al-MMCs, with ceramic reinforcements such as SiC, TiC, Al 2 O 3 , carbon-based phases, and bioactive ones like hydroxyapatite. It looks at processing parameters to microstructure, density, and mechanical behavior, along with post-processing to improve fatigue life, wear resistance, and biocompatibility. Surface functionalization techniques like anodization and protein/bio-ceramic coatings are discussed in this review for enabling efficient osseointegration, and the in vitro/in vivo evaluation of cytotoxicity and host response is assessed. In addition to a comprehensive technical review, a bibliometric analysis of the global research landscape is presented to map publication trends, influential journals, contributing countries, and evolving research themes in AM-based Al-MMCs. This quantitative perspective underscores the rapid growth of the field and highlights emerging areas of focus. Finally, it identifies key issues such as controlling porosity, aluminium ion leaching, process reproducibility, and regulatory validation to propose future directions such as functionally graded composites, AI-driven parameter optimization, and translational pathways for clinical adoption.