Abstract: A method of extruding a boron carbide-aluminum alloy metal matrix composite includes heating the ingots of the composite to temperatures of about 570.degree. C., holding the ingots at about 570.degree. C. to soften the ingots, placing the ingots in a heated extrusion chamber, and extruding the softened ingots at pressures about 15% to 20% higher than typical pressures used to extrude aluminum alloys. A method of casting a boron carbide-aluminum alloy metal matrix composite includes heating ingots of the composite to about 700.degree. C. to melt the ingots, gently stirring the melt, removing dross from the melt, vigorously stirring the melt with an impeller without creating a vortex, degassing the melt with an argon diffuser wand, and continuously removing froth formed during degassing until the rate of froth formation is reduced and the melt gently bubbles.