Abstract: Aluminum alloy is widely used in automotive, aerospace and other industrial fields because of its low density and good mechanical properties. Selective laser melting（SLM） has great potential in the manufacture of complex geometrical structures and customization of special parts due to its unique layered superposition forming process. The research progress of selective laser melting of aluminum alloys was reviewed. The effects of powder properties, SLM process parameters and heat treatment on the forming quality, density and mechanical properties of aluminum alloy materials were discussed in detail. The main research results related to the preparation of aluminum alloy materials by SLM in recent years were summarized, which provided a theoretical basis for the preparation of high-performance SLM aluminum alloy parts.