Abstract: Applications for aluminum alloys containing scandium with or without zirconium additions. Such modified aluminum alloys possess enhanced properties and exhibit improved processing characteristics, and, as such, are especially suited for use in recreational and athletic structures and components, and in certain aerospace, ground transportation and marine structures and components.

Abstract: A method for preparing a composite material comprises the steps of providing a first mixture of a molten aluminum-base matrix alloy having at least about 4 percent by weight magnesium, and a mass of discontinuous reinforcing particles that are not soluble in the molten matrix alloy, and mixing the first mixture to wet the matrix alloy to the particles and to distribute the particles throughout the volume of the molten matrix alloy. The first matrix alloy is diluted to reduce the magnesium content of the mixture to less than about 4 percent by weight magnesium, to produce a second mixture, and the second mixture is cast. The second mixture has at least about 5 volume percent particles, and preferably has about 5-25 volume percent particles.