Effect of reinforcement particle size on microstructure and mechanical properties of AlZnMgCu/AlN nano-composites produced using mechanical alloying

► High energy ball milling resulted in homogeneous distribution of reinforcements. ► MA combined with hot pressing allowed to produce nanocrystalline matrix composites. ► Addition of AlN of ∼1 μm size provided finest matrix structure after milling. ► AlZnMgCu/∼1 μm AlN composite compacts exhibited the best mechanical properties.