Cu-coated SiC particle was prepared by chemical plating

and the performances including morphologies

microstructure

phase constitution and mechanical behavior of SiC and Cu-SiC particulate reinforced magnesium matrix composites（SiCp/AZ91 Dand Cu-SiCp/AZ91D）were characterized by scanning electron microscope（SEM）

X-ray diffractmeter（XRD）and UTM4304 universal tensile testing machine

respectively.It shows that SiC particle reinforced magnesium matrix composites are composed ofα-Mg and Mg2 Si phases mainly

and the grain is further refined with adding Cu-SiC into AZ91 D

meanwhile

the layeredα+βphase appears surrounding the Mg2 Si phase.The mechanical properties of SiCp/AZ91 Dand Cu-SiCp/AZ91 Dcomposites are significantly better than those of AZ91 Dalloy matrix

and the tensile strength of Cu-SiCp/AZ91 Dcould reach to 195.7MPa.During room lemperature tensile testing

AZ91 Dshows the obvions brittle fracture

while SiCp/AZ91 Dand Cu-SiCp/AZ91 Ddisplay ductil fracture and quasi-cleavage fracture respectively.