Abstract: An experimental approach is used to investigate the spalling damage evolution in an Al-alloy reinforced with SiC particles. The microscopic observation and statistic quantitative analysis to the microdamage show that the microdamage occurred at the composite are themicrocracks, including particle cracking and debonding of interface betweenthe particle and matrix. The nucleation and devlopment of the microdamage not only depended on the stress levels and stress duration but also related to the microstructur...