Silicon aluminum alloy is an important material that is widely used in electronic packaging and automotive fields.But it has problems such as poor surface quality and severe tool wear during cutting. Studying the surface defects and cutting tool adaptability of silicon aluminum alloy in the cutting process is the key technology to improve the machining quality of silicon aluminum alloy.This article systematically reviews the formation mechanism and control method of surface defects of silicon-aluminum alloy in cutting，as well as the selection of tool materials and wear mechanism.The future development trend of this field is also prospected.