Abstract:Due to the high deposition rate, high material utilization rate, low cost and the capability of large-scale complex components manufacturing, wire-arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) has attracted more and more attention from industry and academia. Light-weight alloys based on magnesium, aluminum and titanium can reduce weight, and promote energy conservation and emission reduction, due to their advantages of low density, high specific strength, good shock absorption performance, strong corrosion resistance and good biocompatibility. They have broad application scenarios in aerospace, automotive industry and medical equipment. In this paper, the research status of WAAM of these light alloys was reviewed, and the influences of WAAM process on microstructure and properties of materials were emphatically discussed. It was shown that WAAM process played an important role in the forming accuracy of the components, and had a strong sensitivity to the material, that is, the optimal process suitable for different light alloys was different. At the same time, the commonly used performance optimization methods of WAAM components were discussed. The heat treatment process can improve the comprehensive mechanical properties by regulating the second phase type and microstructure morphology. The main problems and development direction of WAAM of magnesium, aluminum, titanium and other alloy materials were pointed out, which can promote the rapid development of WAAM technology of light alloy.