3% micron-sized SiC

p

/ZL101 semi-solid billet was prepared by semi-solid mechanical stirring and near liquidus method

and SiC

p

/ZL101 composites were obtained by remelting and extrusion. The effects of solid solution and aging on the microstructure and properties of the composite were investigated. The results indicate that the microstructure of SiC

p

/ZL101 composites is characterized by near spherical α-Al

elongated eutectic Si and polygonal SiC particles. After solid solution treatment

the eutectic Si is converted to nearly spherical one. After further aging treatment

the amount of precipitated phase is increased at the interface between the matrix and the second phase

and the tensile strength

yield strength

elongation and hardness of the composites reach up to 320 MPa

244 MPa

6.91% and 114 HV

respectively. The fracture morphology is transformed from microvoid accumulation fracture to quasi-cleavage fracture.