Beijing Benz Automotive Co., Ltd. is recalling 19,481 domestically produced EQA and EQB electric vehicles manufactured between April 2021 and March 2024. Starting June 25, 2026, the recall addresses potential internal short circuits caused by production fluctuations in high-voltage batteries and software-related overloads. These defects in the Battery Management System (BMS) increase the risk of vehicle fires, posing significant safety hazards. The move aligns with China's defective product regulations to ensure battery reliability and passenger safety.

On June 13, at the 2025 SMM (13th) Minor Metal Industry Conference - Rare and Scattered Metals Forum (Indium, Germanium, Gallium, Bismuth, Selenium, Tellurium), hosted by Shandong Humon Smelting Co., Ltd. and SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd., Long Wensheng, General Manager of Changsha Aochang Nonferrous Metals Co., Ltd., elaborated on "The Current Application Status and Future Prospects of Minor Metal Selenium.

As a critical material in fields such as aerospace, integrated circuits, and high-speed rail transportation, high-end copper alloys are increasingly gaining strategic importance. Despite China's copper semis production and consumption ranking first globally for consecutive years, with a self-sufficiency rate of 96% for general copper semis, high-end copper alloy products still heavily rely on imports. To address this "chokehold" challenge, SMM recently initiated an industry resource integration proposal, collaborating with upstream and downstream enterprises in the industry chain, as well as research institutions, to meticulously produce the "2026 China Copper Alloy Materials Sourcing Guide" , aiming to advance the localisation process of high-end copper alloy materials and facilitate the transition from a "major material producer" to a "leading material powerhouse." Jiangsu Xiongsheng New Material Co., Ltd., as a partner, actively participated in the joint production of the sourcing guide, jointly promoting the healthy and rapid upgrading of China's copper alloy materials industry chain. Jiangsu Xiongsheng New Material Co., Ltd. specializes in producing high-hardness, high-strength, high-wear-resistant, high-corrosion-resistant, high-conductivity, high-thermal-conductivity, and non-magnetic high-performance copper alloy materials, including beryllium bronze, beryllium cobalt copper, beryllium nickel copper, beryllium cobalt nickel, chromium zirconium copper, aluminum bronze, and high-conductivity copper alloys. The main grades are: C17200 beryllium copper, C17300 free-cutting beryllium copper, C17500 beryllium cobalt copper, C17510 beryllium nickel copper, C18150 chromium zirconium copper, 86300 aluminum bronze, and nickel chromium silicon copper. The company boasts over two decades of production experience and history. The company holds over 10 patents, has passed ISO9001 system certification, and possesses 105 sets of equipment, including vacuum melting furnaces, pneumatic forging hammers, and sawing machines, with an annual production capacity exceeding 2,000 mt. Through R&D and improvements in special processes such as melting, forging, heat treatment, and cold working, it has eliminated difficult-to-overcome defects like porosity, blowholes, and uneven thermal conductivity, enabling products to meet national and international industry standards! The products are mainly used in electrode blocks, electrode wheels, conductive nozzles, current pins, nozzles, rotating shaft sleeves, etc., for spot welding, seam welding machines, EV batteries, and robot assembly lines. They are widely applied in manufacturing large molds, ceramic sanitary ware, electronics, machinery, explosion-proof appliances, aerospace, shipping, oil exploration, NEVs, and other industries. Their high-hardness, high-strength, high-wear-resistant, high-corrosion-resistant, high-conductivity, high-thermal-conductivity, and non-magnetic properties are increasingly being applied to more industries and fields. Jiasheng Copper adheres to the industry philosophy of "integrity, pragmatism, and striving for excellence" and upholds the business principle of "quality first, customer supreme." We are willing to grow together with you! Contact Information: Manager Zhang 15853799595/13926800367 Click here to receive a free copy of the "2026 China Copper Alloy Materials Sourcing Guide" SMM Contact Person Lin Junfeng 183 2622 3112 linjunfeng@smm.cn

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and the Ministry of Civil Affairs have issued a notice on launching pilot work for collaborative research and development (R&D) and scenario-based application of intelligent elderly care service robots, with the pilot period spanning from 2025 to 2027. The notice states that, targeting three types of elderly care service settings—home-based, community-based, and institutional—and focusing on application scenarios such as care for the disabled and cognitively impaired, emotional companionship, health promotion, smart environments, and daily living assistance, the pilot work will be guided by the pain points and needs of users in real-world scenarios. It will address the shortcomings of existing products or solutions through collaborative R&D efforts, gradually enhancing product safety, reliability, usability, and service capabilities. Scenario-based application validation will also be conducted. Pilot applications will be carried out in settings such as households, communities, and elderly care institutions. Product iterations and upgrades will be completed during the application validation process, with the validation period lasting no less than six months. Home-based elderly care service robot products must complete application validation in no fewer than 200 households, with no fewer than 200 units deployed. Community-based and institutional elderly care service robot products must complete application validation in no fewer than 20 communities or 20 elderly care institutions, with no fewer than 20 units deployed. Notice from the General Offices of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Civil Affairs on Launching Pilot Work for Collaborative R&D and Scenario-Based Application of Intelligent Elderly Care Service Robots To the competent departments of industry and information technology and the departments (bureaus) of civil affairs of all provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government, and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps: In order to thoroughly implement the national strategy of actively responding to population aging, and to implement the "Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Deepening the Reform and Development of Elderly Care Services," the "2025 Government Work Report," the "14th Five-Year Plan for the Development of the Robot Industry," and the "Implementation Plan for the 'Robot+' Application Action," and to accelerate the promotion of robot-enabled smart elderly care development, the MIIT and the Ministry of Civil Affairs are jointly launching pilot work for collaborative R&D and scenario-based application of intelligent elderly care service robots, with the pilot period spanning from 2025 to 2027. Relevant matters are hereby notified as follows: I. General Requirements Adhering to the principles of "government guidance, demand-driven, phased implementation, and continuous iteration," the focus will be on improving the quality of life for the elderly, alleviating the pressure on families for elderly care, addressing the shortage of manpower in institutional and community-based elderly care services, and promoting the improvement of the elderly care service system. A batch of collaborative R&D and application pilot projects for intelligent elderly care service robots will be implemented in stages to facilitate collaborative R&D efforts between researchers and users, promote the application validation and iterative upgrading of products in settings such as households, communities, and elderly care institutions, and form a batch of robot products capable of meeting the multi-level and diversified needs of elderly care services. Efforts will be made to continuously establish and improve standards, norms, and evaluation systems, and to accelerate the promotion of robot-enabled smart elderly care services and the silver economy. II. Pilot Content (1) Launch paired research and development. Focusing on three types of elderly care service settings—home, community, and institutional care—and application scenarios such as care for the disabled and those with dementia, emotional companionship, health promotion, smart environments, and daily life assistance, we will conduct paired research and development targeting the shortcomings of existing products or solutions, guided by the pain points in the actual scenarios of users, to gradually enhance the safety, reliability, usability, and service capabilities of products. (2) Conduct scenario application validation. Implement pilot applications in settings such as households, communities, and elderly care institutions, and complete product iteration and upgrades during the application validation process, with the application validation cycle lasting no less than 6 months. Home-based elderly care service robot products must complete application validation in no less than 200 households, with no less than 200 units deployed; community and institutional elderly care service robot products must complete application validation in no less than 20 communities or 20 elderly care institutions, with no less than 20 units deployed. (3) Improve standards and evaluation systems. Encourage product development units and application pilot units to jointly conduct research on standards for intelligent elderly care service robots, focusing on scenario requirements and application safety to develop standards and specifications for intelligent elderly care service robot products and services, and focusing on safety, reliability, age-appropriateness, and cost-effectiveness to develop evaluation standards for intelligent elderly care service robot products. Guide the industry to closely align with the physiological and psychological characteristics and service needs of the elderly in the design and development of intelligent elderly care service robot products, enhancing their age-appropriateness, intelligence, and safety and reliability levels. III. Application Requirements The paired research and development and scenario application pilot for intelligent elderly care service robots are voluntarily applied for in the form of a consortium. The applying units shall meet the following requirements: (1) Registered within the territory of the People's Republic of China, engaged in production, operation, and elderly care services in relevant fields, and being independent legal entities with no adverse credit records, no major or above safety, environmental protection, or other accidents, and no illegal or regulatory violations or socially impactful incidents within the past 3 years. Robot enterprises, elderly care auxiliary equipment enterprises, universities, research institutes, and user units such as third-party elderly care service institutions are encouraged to form consortia to jointly apply. (2) As the leading unit, the applying unit may only apply for 1 pilot project; as a participating unit, it may apply for no more than 3 pilot projects. (3) The applying unit shall possess products or solutions for relevant scenarios, capable of focusing on addressing the pain points and challenges in the field of elderly care services, and have the capability for mass production and large-scale promotion of robots and elderly care auxiliary equipment. The applying unit shall have a close cooperation mechanism, a comprehensive talent team, and a strong technological foundation. (4) The applicant shall ensure that product design fully considers risks such as functional failure, electrical faults, mechanical structural defects, human-machine interaction flaws, battery safety, and data privacy security. Testing shall be completed in accordance with mandatory detection and certification requirements for relevant product categories, and corresponding certificates shall be obtained. During the pilot application process, the applicant must possess comprehensive risk prevention, hazard identification, and emergency response capabilities covering pre-event, in-process, and post-event phases. Operational safety personnel shall be equipped, regular training and assessments shall be conducted, safety incident causes and hazard elimination countermeasures shall be promptly reported, and bimonthly pilot reports shall be compiled during the application verification period for archival purposes. (5) The applicant shall commit to completing designated paired research and scenario application pilot tasks within specified timelines and cooperate with on-site surveys and subsequent promotional activities. (6) The project's expected key technical indicators shall reach internationally advanced or domestically leading levels without intellectual property disputes. IV. Organization and Implementation (1) Project Application Applicants shall prepare materials by referring to the "Application Form for Paired Research and Scenario Application Pilot Project of Smart Elderly Care Service Robots (Writing Outline)" (hereinafter referred to as the Application Form, Attachment 2). Applicants are responsible for the authenticity of application content and shall ensure materials do not involve state secrets or commercial confidentiality. (2) Organization and Recommendation 1. Recommending authorities include industry and information technology regulatory departments and civil affairs departments (bureaus) of provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government, and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. Recommending authorities shall organize regional recommendation work for paired research and scenario application pilot projects, while central state-owned enterprises shall apply through their respective provincial (autonomous regional/municipal) recommending authorities. Recommendations shall follow government guidance and voluntary application principles. 2. Recommending authorities shall conduct strict reviews based on practical work. Through expert evaluation and comparative surveys, application materials shall be verified, and the "Summary Recommendation Form for Paired Research and Scenario Application Pilot Project of Smart Elderly Care Service Robots" (hereinafter referred to as the Recommendation Summary Form, Attachment 3) shall be completed in priority order. Before July 10, 2025, sealed hard copies of the Application Form and Recommendation Summary Form (duplicate sets) shall be submitted to the First Department of Equipment Industry, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (No. 13, West Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing). Scanned electronic versions (PDF) shall be simultaneously submitted to the First Department of Equipment Industry, MIIT (email: zhaofengjie@miit.gov.cn) and the Department of Elderly Care Services, Ministry of Civil Affairs (email: cujinyanglaofuwu@163.com). (3) Project Selection The First Department of Equipment Industry, MIIT and the Department of Elderly Care Services, Ministry of Civil Affairs shall jointly establish an expert panel to conduct comprehensive evaluation and selection of pilot project applications, determining the final list of paired research and scenario application pilot projects. (IV) Launch pilot projects Pilot units are required to complete the task of paired problem-solving and pilot application of scenarios within two years from the date of confirmation on the shortlist. The Equipment Industry Department I of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Department of Elderly Care Services of the Ministry of Civil Affairs will organize experts to evaluate the implementation of pilot projects through material review, technical assessment, and on-site spot checks after the expiration of the pilot tasks. (V) Achievements Promotion and Policy Support 1. Launch publicity and promotion. The achievements of pilot projects will be showcased and promoted through the websites of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Civil Affairs, as well as the "Robot+" Public Service Platform for Supply and Demand Matching and Application Promotion, the National Elderly Care Service Information Platform, and other channels. They will also be highlighted and promoted in subsequent supply and demand matching activities. 2. Strengthen policy guarantees. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Civil Affairs will coordinate the use of relevant policies and resources to support typical pilot projects that can address critical needs, possess advanced technological levels, and feature innovative models and promotion experience. Recommending units are encouraged to increase support for recommended projects and applicant units in terms of policies, funding, and resource allocation based on actual conditions. If serious safety hazards are identified during the pilot and are not promptly rectified and eliminated, or if safety accidents, serious violations of law, or socially adverse events occur, the pilot qualifications of the relevant entities will be terminated. General Office of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology General Office of the Ministry of Civil Affairs May 26, 2025

In April, the iron ore concentrates grade of Pangang Group's Xinbaima Company reached 57.53%, an increase of 0.41% compared to the previous month. This laid a solid foundation for Xinbaima Company to create high-quality products and enhance its market competitiveness. Since the beginning of this year, Xinbaima Company has been deeply engaged in improving the quality of iron ore concentrates, focusing on production organization, equipment management, and technological empowerment. It formulates monthly production and operation plans, clarifying the production and grade targets for iron ore concentrates, as well as requirements for equipment maintenance, ore mining and stripping. It promptly carries out mine ore blending and moisture control in the filtration of iron ore concentrates, strengthens the maintenance of semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mills No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3, fully utilizes the spare capacity of tower mills, and organizes production efficiently. It strictly controls the crushing particle size, ensuring that the proportion of -12mm particle size exceeds 96.5%. It conducts weekly inspections of the screens of high-frequency fine screens, promptly replacing damaged ones to avoid equipment "running with defects" affecting subsequent processes. Through measures such as dynamically adjusting process parameters, accurately tracking the steel ball filling rate of ball mills and sharing data in real time, and cleaning the water pipes at the bottom of magnetic separators every shift, it forms a closed-loop management system, creating conditions for improving the grade and recovery rate of iron ore concentrates. Xinbaima Company coordinates the production and operation of work areas such as iron separation, titanium separation, and concentrate pipelines, synchronously implements planned maintenance of ball mills and SAG mills, and reduces unplanned downtime through preventive maintenance, providing equipment support for quality improvement and efficiency enhancement. It actively promotes the upgrade and transformation of the double-layer screen equipment of SAG mill No. 3, experiments with new material flocculants, and continuously explores new paths for improving the quality and efficiency of iron ore concentrates.

SMM 2025 Global Battery Technology Conference Conference Time August 21-22, 2025 In response to climate change, countries worldwide have set carbon neutrality targets to drive the transition of energy structures towards clean energy. The intermittency and volatility of renewable energy sources have imposed higher requirements on energy storage. As a key technology for energy storage, battery technology has become increasingly important. In recent years, new battery technologies such as lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries, and sodium-ion batteries have continuously emerged, with continuous improvements in key indicators such as energy density, safety, and cycle life, providing strong momentum for the development of electric vehicles (EVs), energy storage power stations (ESS), consumer electronics, and other fields. The battery industry chain involves multiple links, including resources, materials, manufacturing, and applications, requiring the joint efforts of experts from various countries and fields worldwide to overcome technical challenges and promote the healthy development of the industry. Against this backdrop, SMM is organizing the first 2025 SMM Global Battery Technology Conference , scheduled for August 21-22, 2025. Here, SMM cordially invites major battery dealers to participate in this grand event. Registrants will receive free admission and visit passes, and enjoy surprise gifts for SMM members! Scan the QR code to inquire about preferential details for conference participation. Participants Representative Participating Enterprises As of May 20, over 66 representative enterprises have registered to participate in this conference. The specific list of participants is as follows: The conference focuses on six hot topics ▲ Discussion and exchange on cutting-edge battery technologies ▲ New battery equipment ▲ Latest progress in solid-state battery technology, materials, and equipment ▲ Analysis of sodium-ion battery application technologies and implementation prospects ▲ Sharing of research progress on lightweight, high-energy-density materials for batteries Scan the QR code to learn more about the conference details. Conference Agenda Battery Equipment Forum (August 21) 14:00-14:30 Innovation in Lead-Acid Battery Plate Manufacturing Equipment: Optimization of High-Speed Coating and Curing Processes Guest Speaker (pending): Wang Lina, President, Fengfan Storage Battery Research Institute, Expert in Lead-Acid Battery Technology 14:30-15:00 Innovation in Lead-Acid Battery Formation Process Equipment: Intelligent Charging/Discharging and Energy Consumption Control Guest Speaker (pending): Li Jun, Technical Director, Shuangdeng Group, Expert in Lead-Acid Battery Formation Technology 15:00-15:30 Application of AI Vision Inspection in Lead-Acid Battery Production: Identification of Plate Defects and Leakage Guest Speaker (pending): Zhou Hua, Chief Technical Engineer, Shanghai Haibao Special Power Supply Co., Ltd., Expert in Intelligent Inspection Technology 15:30-16:00 Panoramic View of Differences in Lithium/Sodium/Solid-State Battery Equipment: From Material Handling to Packaging and Testing Guest Speaker (pending): Wu Kai, Chief Manufacturing Officer, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited 16:00-16:30 Analysis of Compatibility between Sodium-Ion Battery and Lithium Battery Equipment: Retrofitting or Building New Production Lines? Guest speaker (pending): Yongsheng Hu, Founder of HiNa Battery, Pioneer in the Industrialisation of Sodium-ion Batteries 16:30-17:00 Mass Production Equipment for High-Nickel/Silicon-Based Anode Batteries: Process Breakthroughs from Slurry Coating to Pole Piece Rolling Guest speaker (pending): Shilin Huang, Co-founder of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited, Senior Expert in Lithium Battery Equipment August 21st Morning: Corporate Visit. Itinerary: Jiangsu New Chunxing Resource Recycling Co., Ltd. (Regenerated Lead Industrial Base) - C&D Technologies (Power Supply) - Xiaoyang Power - Great Wall Motor Precision Die Casting - Kingfa Science & Technology (Regenerated Plastics Industrial Base) - Great Wall Motor Hive Transmission - Southern Permanent Magnet (Regenerated Magnetic Materials Industrial Base) (Limited to the first 100 registrants) Main Forum 09:00-09:20 Latest Breakthroughs in High-Energy-Density Battery Materials: From Solid-State Electrolytes to Silicon-Based Anodes Guest speaker (pending): Minggao Ouyang, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences 09:20-09:35 Commercialisation Pathways for Sodium-Ion Battery Materials: Balancing Cost and Performance Guest speaker (pending): Yongsheng Hu, Researcher at the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Leading Figure in the Field of Sodium-Ion Batteries 09:35-10:10 Technological Evolution of ESS Batteries in the Context of New Power Systems Guest speaker: Xianghui Meng, Chairman of Aoguan Group 10:10-10:35 Preparation Technology and Applications of Large-Capacity, High-Safety Aluminum-Based Lead-Carbon Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) Batteries Guest speaker: Zhongcheng Guo, Professor at Kunming University of Science and Technology 10:35-11:00 New Electrolyte Systems: Breakthroughs from Liquid to Quasi-Solid-State 11:00-12:00 Roundtable Discussion: Exploring the Possibility of Standardising the Entire Lead-Acid Battery Industry 13:30-13:55 Global Competitive Landscape of Power Battery Materials: A Comparison of Technological Routes in China, Japan, South Korea, and Europe Guest speaker (pending): Yu Wang, Chairman of Farasis Energy (Ganzhou) Co., Ltd., Senior Expert in the Battery Industry 13:55-14:20 New Processes in Lead-Acid Battery Manufacturing: Numerical Simulation and Its Implications Guest speaker: Lixu Lei, Professor at Southeast University 14:20-14:45 High-Power Lead-Carbon Battery Technology: Selection and Composite Processes of Capacitor Carbon Materials Guest speaker (pending): Zhiping Chen, Deputy Director of the Research Institute at Zhejiang Narada Power Source Co., Ltd. 14:45-15:10 Development and Industrial Application of Low-Cost Reed-Based Hard Carbon Anodes for Sodium-Ion Batteries Guest speaker: Lei Zhang, Associate Professor at Central South University 15:10-15:35 Upgrading of AGM Separator Materials: Composite Technology of Ultra-Fine Glass Fibers and Modified PE Guest speaker (pending): Shijun Yang, Technical Vice President of Leoch International Technology Co., Ltd. 15:35-16:00 Approaches to Improving the Lifespan of Lead-Acid Batteries Guest speaker: Shusong Chai, Senior Engineer For more collaboration opportunities, please contact: Lin Zhang Mobile Number: 15221678846 Email Address: zhanglin@smm.cn

In the low-altitude sector centered around eVTOLs, battery companies have made their moves earlier than the policy signals. It is worth noting that power batteries for low-altitude aircraft have all-round requirements for battery performance, with the difficulty level several orders of magnitude higher than that of batteries for EVs. Therefore, cooperation and installation in fields such as eVTOLs can better demonstrate a company's R&D and manufacturing capabilities. "Farasis Energy's eVTOL batteries have undergone over ten thousand real-world tests and validations, and have entered Phase IV certification for aviation safety by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)." Recently, at the Electric Aviation and Next-Generation Battery Technology (CIBF2025 Shenzhen) Symposium jointly hosted by the Power Battery Application Branch and China Battery Network, Jiang Weiran, R&D Vice President and Dean of the R&D Institute of Farasis Energy (Ganzhou) Co., Ltd., stated. Thirteen Years of Layout: eVTOL Batteries to Be Supplied in Bulk As one of the pioneers in the global manufacturing of green aviation power batteries, Farasis Energy began its R&D layout for eVTOL power batteries in 2012, completed sample supply in 2020, achieved mass production and installation of its first-generation products and verification of its second-generation product system in 2022, and assisted its customers in becoming the first eVTOL company to obtain FAA airworthiness certification. "In 2022, we collaborated with low-altitude aircraft companies in China, Europe, Southeast Asia, and South America to verify our second-generation aviation battery system, and in 2023, we became the world's first battery company to deliver eVTOL products to terminal customers." Jiang Weiran stated that in 2024, Farasis Energy's eVTOL batteries have been delivered to the top five domestic complete aircraft customers. Currently, the product has also received orders from well-known domestic research institutes, AeroHT Technology, and several other leading domestic low-altitude aviation enterprises. The outstanding performance of Farasis Energy's power batteries for the low-altitude sector, particularly in the eVTOL field, has also garnered widespread attention in the flying car industry. In March this year, Farasis Energy received a nomination development notice from a leading domestic flying car enterprise. According to informed sources, after a comprehensive analysis of Farasis Energy's quality assurance system, technological R&D, production organization capabilities, and other factors, the flying car R&D enterprise decided to choose Farasis Energy as the supplier of high-voltage power batteries, high-voltage connectors, and low-voltage connectors for its next-generation principle prototypes. During the speech, Jiang Weiran also revealed that this year, Farasis Energy will supply batteries in bulk to leading global eVTOL customers. Maximizing Performance: Farasis Energy Creates "6H Technology" Low-Altitude Power Batteries "We now feel that the competition in the EV power battery sector is fierce, with numerous demands. However, in fields such as eVTOLs, not only are there numerous demands, but even more are required. It can be said that all key performances need to be maximized."Jiang Weiran stated that low-altitude batteries must meet higher requirements than EV batteries in terms of safety performance, energy density, cycle life, low-temperature performance, charging, high power, and flexible assembly. "It's not about achieving a certain threshold for a single indicator; rather, all indicators must meet very high requirements." Taking the eVTOL battery with a mass-produced energy density of 350Wh/kg as an example, when enhancing energy density, it also achieves over 10,000 actual test cycles under eVTOL flight conditions, with excellent low-temperature performance and charge-discharge rates. It supports 8C continuous long-pulse discharge for 60 seconds at 30% SOC, and 15-minute rapid charging meets quick energy replenishment needs for passenger boarding and disembarking, enabling it to handle high-intensity eVTOL operating conditions and pass FAA aviation safety certification. Based on a profound understanding of low-altitude power batteries and application scenarios, Farasis Energy has proposed a 6H low-altitude battery system characterized by "high safety, high energy density, high charge-discharge rate, wide temperature range operation, long cycle life, and high-quality standards": High Safety: "When flying in the sky, batteries cannot have any accidents. There is zero tolerance for battery safety risks, so the requirements for battery safety, whether intrinsic or assembly safety, are extremely high." According to Jiang Weiran, Farasis Energy has designed a very strict product manufacturing process in terms of material system safety, battery cell intrinsic safety, assembly safety, and software control safety. Currently, the company's eVTOL batteries have met safety certifications in major international markets such as China, the US, and Europe, reaching international battery safety standards. After undergoing nail penetration tests, the battery cells show no significant changes in voltage and temperature, and there is no open flame after 24 hours. By adopting new-type phase change material technology, the surface temperature of thermally runaway battery cells can be continuously suppressed below 100°C for over 5 minutes. The BMS system adopts a dual-redundancy architecture design, ensuring the integrity of the discharge circuit and system-level safety and reliability even in the event of a single-point failure. High Energy Density: Farasis Energy's second-generation eVTOL semi-solid battery cells are expected to enter small-batch production soon, with energy density increased to 320Wh/kg and long-pulse power reaching up to 10C. According to Jiang Weiran, eVTOLs equipped with Farasis Energy's second-generation batteries have a maximum takeoff weight of over 2.4 mt, a payload of nearly half a mt, and can carry 5 passengers. In addition, the second-generation Plus version of eVTOL semi-solid battery cells is expected to enter mass production in 2026, with an energy density greater than 350 Wh/kg. Farasis Energy is systematically advancing the R&D of third-generation semi-solid and all-solid battery cells, targeting an energy density of 400Wh/kg, with various testing work progressing steadily. High Charge-Discharge Rate: It possesses ultra-high-performance charge-discharge characteristics, fully adapting to the operational needs of eVTOLs under all conditions. At an ambient temperature of 25°C, it supports continuous discharge at a high C-rate of 8C, with a capacity retention rate >94% and a temperature rise of the battery cell Wide Temperature Range Operation: It can operate stably and efficiently within a temperature range of -40°C to 60°C, with a capacity retention rate ≥90% at -20°C. It is fully compatible with complex operating conditions across multiple seasons, flight altitudes, and geographical (spatiotemporal) regions. With its rapid recharging capability, it can efficiently respond to sudden weather conditions, ensuring the safe takeoff and landing of aircraft. Long Cycle Life: By constructing a highly stable pole piece structure, optimizing the kinetic balance design of the anode and cathode, and reserving sufficient expansion space for silicon particles, an ultra-long cycle life for the battery cell is achieved. High-Quality Standards: Through PPM-level manufacturing quality control, comprehensive environmental factor control, and PPB-level process precision control, a PPB-level production system is established to ensure that the performance, safety, and lifespan indicators of battery products comprehensively meet industry benchmark levels. Jiang Weiran pointed out that batteries for the low-altitude economy must achieve zero defects. This not only requires PPB-level production control but also stricter measures. For the eVTOL battery production line, Farasis Energy has implemented very stringent upgrades. Each production segment not only undergoes regular inspections but is also equipped with CT detection and full inspection of batteries before they leave the production line, ensuring that every battery cell is flawless. Based on the 6H development, design, and manufacturing philosophy, Farasis Energy has not only gained recognition from leading domestic and overseas aircraft customers in the eVTOL battery field but also holds a leading advantage in various application scenarios for its low-altitude batteries, including logistics transportation, agricultural plant protection, surveying and mapping, and special purposes. According to Jiang Weiran, Farasis Energy's dedicated semi-solid battery cells developed for drones used in logistics transportation, agricultural plant protection, and other fields will also enter the stage of mass production, thereby taking the lead in forming a low-altitude power solution matrix covering multiple fields within the industry. Pouch Battery: A Key Choice for Low-Altitude Power Applications Low-altitude flight has high weight requirements. For batteries, the current R&D direction is to provide high energy while reducing their own weight. Jiang Weiran pointed out that the lightweight advantage of pouch batteries is crucial for the low-altitude economy: "When providing the same amount of energy, the lighter design of pouch batteries can significantly improve overall energy efficiency. Based on the first principles of the low-altitude industry, we believe that pouch batteries are a key choice for low-altitude power battery applications." In addition, looking at low-altitude flight designs both domestically and overseas, there are significant differences in models, sizes, and specifications. Pouch batteries offer excellent flexibility, adapting to different aircraft models and matching customers' varying power and voltage platforms. It is understood that, in response to the internal design of eVTOLs, to further enhance adaptability, Farasis Energy has also planned and designed modules suitable for aircraft, compatible with the main cabin requirements of different aircraft, and capable of quickly meeting the needs of different customers for high-performance, high-safety aviation batteries. From the perspective of battery technology iteration, semi-solid-state batteries and solid-state batteries are the future direction and the key batteries required for aviation aircraft such as eVTOLs. Judging from the current technological approaches of various companies, semi-solid-state and solid-state batteries mostly adopt the pouch form. "Whether it's semi-solid-state, solid-state batteries, or aviation batteries, pouch batteries are the preferred choice," added Jiang Weiran. "Our overseas eVTOL customers conducted numerous tests when selecting batteries and ultimately chose Farasis Energy's pouch batteries. This decision was made by the company based on the first principles and a comprehensive consideration of various performance indicators required for eVTOLs."

Recently, Hyundai Motor Hydrogen Fuel Cell System (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "HTWO Guangzhou") successfully passed the rigorous audit conducted by TÜV SÜD, an internationally recognized certification body, and was awarded the IATF16949:2016 Automotive Quality Management System Certification and the ISO9001 Quality Management System Certification. This milestone marks HTWO Guangzhou's elevation to a new level in quality management, technical capabilities, and industry competitiveness, injecting strong momentum into the large-scale development of the hydrogen energy industry. Crafted with meticulous attention, solely for the pursuit of ultimate quality IATF 16949 is the "golden key" to the automotive industry, representing stringent quality system requirements imposed by automotive OEMs and their suppliers at all levels on the downstream supply chain. It is based on ISO9001 but incorporates specific requirements for the automotive industry, making it highly targeted and professional. Achieving this certification means that an enterprise has met the industry's high standards in automotive quality management and can consistently provide products and services that meet requirements. ISO9001, on the other hand, is a globally recognized benchmark for quality management systems, widely adopted in over 180 countries worldwide, and serves as an important indicator of an enterprise's alignment with international quality management standards. The acquisition of these dual certifications means that HTWO Guangzhou meets the most stringent standards in the automotive industry across the entire chain from R&D and production to services, and possesses the systemic capabilities to expand into diversified hydrogen energy scenarios. To obtain these two highly valuable certifications, HTWO Guangzhou spent over a year optimizing multiple core processes and upgrading project standards. With the goal of "zero defects," every aspect, from system establishment to on-site management, and from system planning, documentation, personnel training, to trial operation, was meticulously refined. In January 2025, the TÜV SÜD audit team conducted a two-phase rigorous audit of the IATF16949 automotive quality management system and ISO9001 quality management system-related processes at HTWO Guangzhou's factory. The audit team delved into the production lines, R&D departments, and management offices, conducting meticulous inspections and evaluations of every process, document, and operation. Ultimately, HTWO Guangzhou successfully passed the audit with its comprehensive quality management system, outstanding operational processes, and strong employee enforcement, earning high praise from the audit team. Deeply committed to the hydrogen energy sector, building core advantages As the core base for Hyundai Motor Group's hydrogen energy industry layout in China, HTWO Guangzhou focuses on the R&D, production, and promotion of hydrogen fuel cell systems. Leveraging its global technological accumulation and combining it with the needs of the Chinese market, the company has developed efficient, safe, and durable hydrogen energy solutions that cover passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and diversified energy scenarios. During the certification process, the TÜV SÜD audit team highly praised HTWO Guangzhou's R&D capabilities, production processes, and quality management system. The audit team pointed out, "HTWO Guangzhou has not only fully implemented the IATF16949 standard, but has also demonstrated outstanding performance in key technical indicators such as low-temperature performance and durability of hydrogen fuel cell systems, showcasing benchmark standards in the industry." The successful certification this time indicates that the HTWO Guangzhou factory has established and possesses a mature organizational and quality management system, with the overall level of its quality management system meeting the high standards of the automotive industry and the certification requirements of other businesses. This means that the company has become more standardized, normalized, and scientific in its internal management. From raw material procurement and production process control to product inspection and after-sales service, every link is supported by strict systems and processes, effectively reducing costs, improving efficiency, and minimizing risks, thereby building a solid competitive advantage in industry management. Embracing a New Era of Hydrogen Energy, Driving Industrial Upgrading with Quality As a globally leading third-party certification body, TÜV SÜD is renowned for its professional and rigorous audit system. In this collaboration, TÜV SÜD conducted a two-phase in-depth audit to comprehensively verify the compliance and effectiveness of HTWO Guangzhou's system. This certification is not only a badge of quality but also a cornerstone of trust for our dialogue with global partners. Standing at a new starting point, HTWO Guangzhou will take this dual certification as an opportunity. We will continue to use technological innovation as the engine and quality management as the cornerstone to continuously improve product quality and service levels, increase R&D investment, promote technological innovation, and expand application areas. At the same time, we also look forward to working hand in hand with more partners to jointly build a more complete hydrogen energy industry chain, contributing to the development of the global hydrogen energy industry, allowing hydrogen fuel cell technology to illuminate the path of future mobility and energy transformation, and jointly creating a cleaner, more efficient, and better world!

SMM 2025 Global Battery Technology Conference Conference Date August 21-22, 2025 In response to climate change, countries worldwide have set carbon neutrality targets to promote the transition of energy structures towards clean energy. The intermittency and volatility of renewable energy sources have imposed higher requirements on energy storage. As a key technology for energy storage, battery technology has become increasingly important. In recent years, new-type battery technologies such as lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries, and sodium-ion batteries have continuously emerged, with key indicators such as energy density, safety, and cycle life continuously improving, providing strong impetus for the development of fields such as electric vehicles (EVs), energy storage systems (ESS) power stations, and consumer electronics. The battery industry chain involves multiple links, including resources, materials, manufacturing, and applications, requiring the concerted efforts of experts from various countries and fields worldwide to jointly overcome technical challenges and promote the healthy development of the industry. Against this backdrop, SMM is organizing the inaugural 2025 SMM Global Battery Technology Conference , scheduled for August 21-22, 2025, to invite partners from various links of the battery industry chain, covering manufacturing enterprises of sodium-ion batteries, lithium batteries, solid-state batteries, and lead-acid batteries, aiming to "cover the entire battery industry chain"! The conference will focus on six key areas ▲ Discussion and exchange on cutting-edge battery technologies ▲ New battery equipment ▲ Latest progress in technology, materials, and equipment for solid-state batteries ▲ Analysis of sodium-ion battery application technologies and implementation prospects ▲ Sharing of research progress on lightweight, high-energy-density materials for batteries Conference Agenda Battery Equipment Forum 14:00-14:30 Innovation in Lead-Acid Battery Plate Manufacturing Equipment: Optimization of High-Speed Plating and Curing Processes Guest Speaker (pending): Lina Wang, President of Fengfan Battery Research Institute, Expert in Lead-Acid Battery Technology 14:30-15:00 Revolution in Lead-Acid Battery Formation Process Equipment: Intelligent Charging/Discharging and Energy Consumption Control Guest Speaker (pending): To be determined 15:00-15:30 Application of AI Vision Inspection in Lead-Acid Battery Production: Identification of Plate Defects and Leakage Guest Speaker (pending): Hua Zhou, Chief Technical Engineer of Haibao Battery, Expert in Intelligent Inspection Technology 15:30-16:00 Panoramic View of Differences in Lithium/Sodium/Solid-State Battery Equipment: From Material Handling to Packaging and Testing Guest Speaker (pending): Kai Wu, Chief Manufacturing Officer of CATL 16:00-16:30 Analysis of Compatibility between Sodium-Ion Battery and Lithium Battery Equipment: Retrofitting or Building New Production Lines? Guest speaker (pending): Yongsheng Hu, Founder of HiNa Battery and Pioneer in Sodium-ion Battery Industrialisation 16:30-17:00 Mass Production Equipment for High-Nickel/Silicon-Based Anode Batteries: Process Breakthroughs from Slurry Mixing and Coating to Pole Piece Rolling Guest speaker (pending): Shilin Huang, Co-founder of CATL and Senior Expert in Lithium Battery Equipment Main Forum 09:00-09:20 Latest Breakthroughs in High-Energy-Density Battery Materials: From Solid-State Electrolytes to Silicon-Based Anodes Guest speaker (pending): Minggao Ouyang, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences 09:20-09:35 Commercialisation Pathways for Sodium-Ion Battery Materials: Balancing Cost and Performance Guest speaker (pending): Yongsheng Hu, Researcher at the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Leader in the Sodium-Ion Battery Field 09:35-10:10 Technological Evolution of ESS Batteries in the Context of New Power Systems Guest speaker: Xianghui Meng, Chairman of Aoguan Group 10:10-10:35 Preparation Technology and Applications of High-Capacity, High-Safety Aluminum-Based Lead-Carbon Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) Batteries Guest speaker: Zhongcheng Guo, Professor at Kunming University of Science and Technology 10:35-11:00 New Electrolyte Systems: Breakthroughs from Liquid to Quasi-Solid-State 11:00-12:00 Roundtable Discussion: Exploring the Possibility of Standardising the Entire Lead-Acid Battery Industry 13:30-13:55 Global Competitive Landscape of Power Battery Materials: A Comparison of Technological Routes in China, Japan, South Korea, and Europe Guest speaker (pending): Yu Wang, Chairman of Farasis Energy and Senior Expert in the Battery Industry 13:55-14:20 New Processes in Lead-Acid Battery Manufacturing: Numerical Simulation and Its Implications Guest speaker: Lixu Lei, Professor at Southeast University 14:20-14:45 High-Power Lead-Carbon Battery Technology: Selection and Composite Processes of Capacitor Carbon Materials Guest speaker (pending): Zhiping Chen, Vice President of Narada Power Research Institute 14:45-15:10 Development and Industrial Application of Low-Cost Reed-Based Hard Carbon Anodes for Sodium-Ion Batteries Guest speaker: Lei Zhang, Associate Professor at Central South University 15:10-15:35 Upgrading of AGM Separator Materials: Composite Technology of Ultra-Fine Glass Fibers and Modified PE Guest speaker (pending): Shijun Yang, Technical Vice President of Leoch International 15:35-16:00 Breakthroughs in Lead-Carbon (Lead-Carbon) Batteries in the ESS Sector Representative Companies Huayu New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Shandong Kangyang Power Co., Ltd. Breton Technology Co., Ltd. Leoch International Technology Co., Ltd. Tianneng Battery Group Co., Ltd. Chilwee Power Group Co., Ltd. Fengfan Co., Ltd. Chilwee Power Group Co., Ltd. Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd. Hebei Aoguan Power Co., Ltd. Changxing Nuoli Power Co., Ltd. Guizhou Hangsheng Lithium Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Camel Group Co., Ltd. Jujuang Power Group Co., Ltd. Hebei Jinli New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Hengyang Ruida Power Co., Ltd. Zhejiang Just Electrical Appliances Co., Ltd. Chery Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Co., Ltd. Jiangsu Haibao Battery Technology Co., Ltd. Wanxiang A123 Systems Co., Ltd. Shanghai Cairi Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Xupai Power Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Senior Technology Material Co., Ltd. Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Shuangdeng Group Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited Shanghai Yuling New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Jiangxi Jingjiu Power Technology Co., Ltd. SEVB Shenzhen Sanxing Feirong Machinery Co., Ltd. Shandong Sacred Sun Power Sources Co., Ltd. Beijing HyperStrong Technology Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Senior Technology Material Co., Ltd. Shandong Yineng Power Co., Ltd. Beijing Wanlong Jingyi Guidance Control Technology Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Topband Co., Ltd. Jiangsu Xiangying New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Zhejiang Qingna Technology Co., Ltd. Xilong Scientific Co., Ltd. Jiangsu Zhongna Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Veken Technology Co., Ltd. Shanghai Xilong Chemical Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Jiana Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Jiangsu Highstar Battery Manufacturing Zhejiang Wynca Group Co., Ltd. Huzhou Yingna New Energy Materials Co., Ltd. Guangdong Nayi New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Zhejiang Narada Power Source Co., Ltd. Chengdu BSG Technology Co., Ltd. Hangzhou Tianfeng Power Co., Ltd. China Changan Automobile Group Co., Ltd. Guangdong Rongna New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Huzhou Chaona New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Duozhu Technology (Wuhan) Co., Ltd. Shenzhen BTR Sodium New Energy Materials Technology Co., Ltd. Chengxin Lithium Group Co., Ltd. Shandong Lingyishi Advanced Materials Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Chengtun Group Co., Ltd. Hunan Lifepo4 New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Suzhou Qingtao New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Wuxi Paragonage New Energy Co., Ltd. Tianmu Lake Advanced Energy Storage Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd. East Group Co., Ltd. Tianneng Battery Group Co., Ltd. Beijing HiNa Battery Technology Co., Ltd. Wuhan Topmaterial Technology Co., Ltd.

On April 18, at the AICE 2025 SMM (20th) Aluminum Industry Conference & Aluminum Industry Expo - Industrial Aluminum Extrusion Forum , hosted by SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. (SMM), SMM Metal Trading Center, and Shandong Aisi Information Technology Co., Ltd., and co-organized by Zhongyifeng Jinyi (Suzhou) Technology Co., Ltd. and Lezhi County Qianrun Investment Promotion Service Co., Ltd., Professor and Doctoral Supervisor GENG Lin from the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Harbin Institute of Technology shared the current status of preparation, processing, and application of aluminum matrix composites. Research Background of Aluminum Matrix Composites National Significant Demand for Metal Matrix Composites Aerospace: Large aircraft, heavy helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, carrier-based aircraft, hypersonic vehicles, near-space vehicles, and strategic transport aircraft. Space: Heavy-lift launch vehicles, manned lunar missions, lunar bases, Mars sampling, small celestial body exploration, Jupiter system exploration, and satellites. Other Fields: Robotics, rail transit, new energy vehicles (NEVs), deep-sea/deep-earth/polar exploration equipment, 3C electronics, etc. Metal matrix composites have taken the first step towards large-scale engineering applications in China's aerospace, defense, electronics, construction machinery, and other fields, becoming one of the irreplaceable basic raw materials for major national projects. He introduced the development history of aluminum matrix composites and pointed out that China ranks among the top internationally in terms of the total number of papers and the number of highly cited papers on aluminum matrix composites. ►Current Status of R&D on Aluminum Matrix Composites in China: Mainly concentrated in high-end manufacturing fields such as aerospace and defense. Aluminum matrix composites have achieved widespread application in high-end manufacturing fields such as aerospace and defense, meeting the demands for small-batch, multi-variety, and customized production. ►One of the Bottleneck Issues in Widespread Application: The strong-toughness inversion problem, where stiffness and strength increase while plasticity decreases. Nature-inspired configuration-based composite strengthening and toughening design has become the main trend in the development of aluminum matrix composites in recent years. In terms of preparation technology, the influencing factors of composite systems are complex: High-quality preparation technologies that match different composite systems need to be selected to meet the demands of complex multi-field coupling applications. In terms of forming and processing technology, the mechanism of microstructure evolution during the forming process is complex: Suitable forming and processing technologies need to be developed to meet the demands for precise shape and property control of complex thin-walled components. Preparation Technology of Aluminum Matrix Composites The preparation of discontinuously reinforced aluminum matrix composites involves various complex processes. Developing suitable preparation technologies is the key to obtaining high-performance composites. II. Preparation Technology of Aluminum Matrix Composites - Solid Phase Method (Powder Metallurgy) The solid phase method refers to the process of preparing metal matrix composites with the matrix in a solid state. Advantages: Lower preparation temperature, easily controlled interfacial reactions, fine microstructure, and high composite performance. It provides analyses of relevant cases, including aluminum matrix composites reinforced with uniformly configured ceramic particles based on traditional ball milling processes, CNT/Al composites with a brick-and-mortar configuration based on flake powder metallurgy, multimodal aluminum matrix composites based on multi-step ball milling, and aluminum matrix composites reinforced with phase change materials. II. Preparation Technology of Aluminum Matrix Composites - Solid Phase Method (Hot Isostatic Pressing) The hot isostatic pressing process involves placing the product in a sealed container, applying isotropic pressure to the product while simultaneously applying high temperature. Under the combined effects of high temperature and pressure, the product undergoes sintering and densification. Most production-scale hot isostatic presses have a maximum operating temperature of approximately 1400°C, with maximum pressures ranging from 100 to 200 MPa. The total tonnage of the largest modern hot isostatic press is approximately 400,000 kN (40,000 tons-force). Example: During the hot isostatic pressing preparation of high volume fraction SiCp/Al composites, the matrix aluminum alloy exists in a solid-liquid two-phase region, facilitating easier densification of the composite under high temperature and pressure conditions. II. Preparation Technology of Aluminum Matrix Composites - Liquid Phase Method (Squeeze Casting) Preform Preparation: Preparing uniformly porous preforms through physical sedimentation; preparing biomimetic configured preforms using methods such as freeze casting and 3D printing. Composite Preparation: Infiltrating molten aluminum into the pores of the preform through mechanical pressurization to achieve the preparation of high-performance composites. It discusses relevant cases, including aluminum matrix composites reinforced with uniformly configured particles, aluminum matrix composites reinforced with uniformly configured whiskers, and biomimetic configured aluminum matrix composites. II. Preparation Technology of Aluminum Matrix Composites - Liquid Phase Method (Vacuum Pressure Infiltration) Vacuum pressure infiltration is similar to squeeze casting, primarily involving the preparation of ceramic porous preforms first, followed by the combination of a vacuum environment and gas pressure pressurization conditions to enable the aluminum alloy melt to fill the micropores of the preform and solidify, thereby preparing aluminum matrix composites. It introduces relevant cases of low-expansion, high-volume fraction particle-reinforced aluminum matrix composites and biomimetic configured aluminum matrix composites. II. Preparation Technology of Aluminum Matrix Composites - Liquid Phase Method (Stir Casting) Basic Principle: Directly adding particles into the semi-solid melt of the matrix metal to increase the shear stress during stirring, enabling uniform dispersion of the particles in the metal melt. Subsequently, rapidly heating to the liquid state to improve the casting liquidity, and finally casting into ingots, castings, etc. Key technologies: Improvement of wettability between the melt and the reinforcement phase, uniform dispersion of the reinforcement phase, and control of oxidation and gas absorption in the metal melt. Technological advantages: Suitable for industrial-scale production; simple process and low manufacturing costs. Preparation capacity: The production scale of stir casting typically ranges from a few kilograms in the laboratory to several dozen tons in industrial production. It elaborates on cases such as the stir casting preparation technology for SiC particle-reinforced aluminum matrix composites, graphite particle-reinforced aluminum matrix composites, and in-situ TiB₂-reinforced aluminum matrix composites. The fluoride salt method mainly involves the reaction of two salts, generating fluoride salt by-products; the master alloy method produces no by-products but has high requirements for raw materials; the in-situ reaction-generated TiB₂ particle composite casting ingot can currently reach a maximum of 11t, providing ingots for subsequent plastic processing to prepare large components. TiB₂ particles exhibit a network-like distribution. Their size can be controlled within the nanometer to submicron range, with regular particle shapes and no significant agglomeration; the in-situ reaction-generated TiB₂ particles have a good interface bonding with the aluminum matrix and are in a coherent relationship, making them ideal reinforcing ceramic particles. TiB₂ particles are excellent grain refiners. In the molten metal, TiB₂ particles act as the core for heterogeneous nucleation, providing more nucleation sites during metal crystallization, ultimately resulting in finer and more uniform grains; a large number of dislocation tangles exist near TiB₂ particles as the second phase particles, effectively hindering dislocation movement during deformation, thereby enhancing the material's strength. Compared to the matrix alloy, the HCF ultimate strength of TiB₂ particle-reinforced aluminum matrix composites is increased by 22% to 44%, reaching up to 730MPa; fine TiB₂ particles can inhibit fatigue crack initiation, avoiding the tendency for premature fatigue crack initiation due to particle-interface debonding and particle fracture. Preparation Technology of Aluminum Matrix Composites - Additive Manufacturing Method Based on additive manufacturing technology, it enables the net-shape forming of complex structural metal components with integrated material-structure, providing a new technological approach for the design and manufacture of high-performance components in aerospace, mainly divided into laser additive manufacturing, arc additive manufacturing, friction stir manufacturing, etc. Preparation Technology of Aluminum Matrix Composites - Additive Manufacturing Method (Laser Additive) Under the action of a laser beam, metal powder is melted and rapidly solidified to form a new layer of material. This process is carried out layer by layer until a complete three-dimensional object is constructed; based on the specified reinforcement particles and Al matrix that have been added, induced grain refinement can be achieved.The lower interatomic mismatch between the α-Al matrix and TiB₂ leads to a decrease in the critical nucleation undercooling ΔT, which can repair crack formation in alloys prone to cracking during the L-PBF process. The addition of second-phase hard particles can significantly refine the microstructure, resulting in higher yield strength due to grain boundary strengthening, as verified in TiB₂-reinforced AlSi10Mg alloys and TiC/TiH₂-reinforced Al2024 alloys. In addition to grain boundary strengthening, the yield strength of the L-PBF TiB₂/AlSi10Mg alloy is increased to approximately 362-407 MPa due to the enhanced resistance to dislocation motion caused by the hard particles. II. Fabrication Technologies for Aluminum Matrix Composites - Additive Manufacturing (Friction Stir) Friction stir additive manufacturing (FSAM) involves local plastic deformation of metal materials using a high-speed rotating stirring tool, followed by layer-by-layer accumulation under pressure to achieve the fabrication of highly dense metal structures. The advantages of FSAM include low-temperature processing, energy conservation and environmental protection, applicability to difficult-to-weld materials, and low residual stress. It is mainly used for the compounding of dissimilar materials and the repair of high-value components, suitable for the efficient large-scale forming of materials such as aluminum alloys and magnesium alloys. The NiTip/Al interface prepared by friction stir additive manufacturing exhibits good bonding without the formation of harmful reaction products. The addition of NiTip forms a fine-grained microstructure with good dispersion, accelerating dynamic recovery by increasing the matrix deformation and promoting dynamic recrystallization through particle-stimulated nucleation. The unique fine-grained microstructure, uniformly dispersed NiTip, and well-bonded NiTip/Al interface significantly enhance strength without adversely affecting ductility. II. Fabrication Technologies for Aluminum Matrix Composites - Additive Manufacturing (Arc Additive) Arc additive manufacturing is a directed energy deposition (DED) 3D printing technology based on arc welding principles, constructing parts by depositing metal materials layer by layer. The grain size of the TiN/Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy is refined from 459.3 μm to 104.6 μm, attributed to the formation of Al₃Ti particles acting as nucleating agents, resulting in increased tensile strength in both the horizontal and vertical directions. In the horizontal direction, the tensile strength increases from 207 MPa to 284 MPa. Forming and Processing of Aluminum Matrix Composites III. Forming and Processing of Aluminum Matrix Composites - Hot Extrusion Hot extrusion enables the production of complex cross-sectional profiles, with only compressive and shear stresses applied during the forming process, resulting in good surface finish of the produced parts. Computer simulation can assist process engineers in understanding the metal flow patterns during profile extrusion, predicting defects in advance, optimizing die design, and improving profile quality. III. Forming and Processing of Aluminum Matrix Composites - Forging Based on the simulation of material flow behavior, potential deformation defects can be predicted, providing a theoretical basis for formulating process measures to prevent crack formation. By establishing a hot working map based on the dynamic material model, the optimal processing conditions for the material can be accurately predicted. A multi-scale thermo-mechanical coupling model for composites was established to simulate the deformation process and microstructure. As a result, SiC/Al forgings with diameters ranging from 1760 to 2500mm were successfully developed in one attempt. Numerical simulations of the isothermal forging process for blades/housings were conducted using finite element software to obtain strain distribution and load data. Reasonable forging process parameters were then formulated, ultimately resulting in forgings with ideal microstructure and properties. By combining finite element simulation with hot compression experiments, the influence of deformation process parameters on the damage field, stress-strain field, and temperature field during the forging process of SiCp/Al composites was investigated. The issue of cracking in heterogeneous and difficult-to-deform composite forging blanks was addressed through a combination of upset forging with a can and two-way forging processes. Large annular forgings of aluminum matrix composites were successfully trial-produced using isothermal precision die forging, with excellent forming quality and significantly refined shape and dimensions. Forming and Processing of Aluminum Matrix Composites - Rolling By simulating the residual stress distribution during the rolling process, rolling process parameters can be optimized to reduce residual stress generation, thereby improving the quality and precision of rolled products. During the rolling process, there exists a mechanism of small-sized phase fragmentation and phase transformation, as well as a refinement mechanism where large-sized phases are broken down into smaller ones. After rolling, the material forms a fibrous microstructure with grains aligned along the rolling direction, resulting in an elongated grain structure. Rolling can be divided into cold rolling and hot rolling. Cold rolling significantly increases strength and hardness due to work hardening effects, but reduces plasticity. Hot rolling results in a more uniform microstructure with lower internal stresses, but lower strength. By optimizing rolling parameters and process routes, profiles suitable for automotive or aerospace applications can be prepared. III. Forming and Processing of Aluminum Matrix Composites - Welding On an A356 aluminum alloy substrate, a gradient structure composite can be manufactured using a brazing layer of SiCp/Al composite with varying contents. The welding area is defect-free, continuous, and free of cracks and pores, with good bonding at the gradient structure interface. III. Forming and Processing of Aluminum Matrix Composites - Machining Particle-reinforced aluminum matrix composites: The main parameters affecting the grinding process include grinding wheel speed (vs), table speed (vw), grinding depth (ap), and maximum undeformed chip thickness (hmax). Among these, grinding at high grinding wheel speeds (vs) results in composites with higher surface quality and more ductile deposition zones. Reducing the undeformed chip thickness (hmax) will decrease the number of effective abrasive grains involved in grinding, thereby controlling the pore size on the composite surface and the thickness of the damaged layer, which is beneficial for reducing the formation of subsurface microcracks and pores. The main parameters affecting the turning process include spindle speed (n), feed rate (f), nose radius (r0), cutting depth, etc. Low spindle speed and feed rate are conducive to reducing stress concentration in composites, minimizing the collapse, pull-out, and pitting of SiCp. Whisker-reinforced aluminum matrix composites: The reinforcement phase consists of whiskers with a large aspect ratio, exhibiting anisotropy, making the cutting process more complex. Applications of Aluminum Matrix Composites IV. Applications of Aluminum Matrix Composites - Overseas It introduces the overseas applications of aluminum matrix composites and points out that the development of overseas discontinuous aluminum matrix composites is driven by demand and technological innovation, closely integrating the optimization of preparation processes with multi-domain requirements. Aerospace: The development of lightweight, high-strength, and high-modulus aluminum matrix composites has made it possible to manufacture lightweight, flexible, and high-performance aircraft and satellites in the modern aerospace industry. Weaponry: Discontinuous reinforced aluminum matrix composites possess characteristics such as lightweight, high strength, high-temperature resistance, and impact resistance in the weaponry field, significantly enhancing equipment mobility, battlefield survivability, and service life. 3C Electronics: Aluminum matrix composites, particularly SiC-reinforced aluminum matrix composites, are suitable for manufacturing electronic device liners, heat sinks, and other electronic components due to their advantages of low thermal expansion coefficient, low density, and good thermal conductivity. Click to view the special report on AICE 2025 SMM (20th) Aluminum Industry Conference & Aluminum Industry Expo