Overview of Research and Development for Aluminum Matrix Composites Driven by Aerospace Equipment Demand

Tianwen-1 is China.. s first planetary probe. Its core, the rover Zhurong, undertook the task of tour and survey, and had extended the mission over the designed 90-Martian-day period limit on Mars. The rover was equipped with various silicon-carbide-particle-reinforced aluminum matrix composites for its bearing structure, motion system, and detectors to meet design requirements, such as lightweight, wear resistance, impact resistance, and dimensional stability. The use of these composites has set a new record for the proportion of aluminum matrix composites used in Chinese spacecraft. This paper discusses the research and development process of the four types of aluminum matrix composites used for the rover Zhurong: property simulation, material design, preparation, and processing. Additionally, the paper introduces new research and development paradigms based on material genetic engineering and the use of synchrotron radiation or neutron scattering facilities. The future development of aluminum matrix composites for high-tech equipment is also discussed.