AbstractA spiral test was used to evaluate the flowability of an AlSi7 Mg0·6 alloy reinforced via 10–30 vol.-%SiC particles having average diameters of 9, 13, and 23μm. The results show that the composite melt has the same ability to flow into long thin sections as unreinforced aluminium, when the particle content is20 vol.-% and approaching 30 vol.-% as a result of increased viscosity. At these higher levels of SiC, an increase in pouring temperature cannot compensate for the reduced flowability. The particle distribution in the solidified material depends on the length which the metal flows before solidification. After 150–200 mm of flow, dendritic grains growing in the composite melt push the particles so that the solidified microstructure consists of open areas without particles. The particle free areas increase in diameter with the flow distance.MST/3005