The　process　of　selective　laser　melting　(SLM)　is　complex　and　instantaneous,　which　communicates　with　a　variety　of　physical　phenomena　such　as　solid-liquid　phase　transition.　The　microstructure　and　material　properties　are　favorable　evidence　to　explain　the　SLM　forming　mechanism.　In　this　paper,　the　forming　properties　of　the　iron-based　alloy,　titanium-based　alloys,　and　aluminum-based　alloys　are　discussed,　which　are　relatively　mature　in　research.　The　influence　of　processing　strategy　on　the　density　and　quality　of　metal　specimens　is　briefly　introduced.　The　research　progress　of　microstructure　and　mechanical　properties　of　metal　specimens　formed　by　SLM　is　mainly　introduced.　Also,　the　influence　of　processing　parameters　and　heat　treatment　on　the　microstructure　and　the　effect　of　microstructure　on　mechanical　properties　are　summarized.　The　corrosion　behavior　of　metal　specimens　formed　by　SLM　is　analyzed.　Furthermore,　the　research　development　of　copper-based　alloys,　shape　memory　alloys,　and　high-entropy　alloys　is　presented.　Finally,　the　problems　encountered　in　the　alloys　forming　process　are　described,　and　the　future　development　direction　has　prospected.