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Carbon nanotube (CNT)/aluminum composites were fabricated by a combination of powder metallurgy and subsequent friction stir processing (FSP). Microstructural observations indicated that the CNTs were singly dispersed in the composites. The CNTs tended to be dispersed along grain boundaries resulting in a much finer grain size. Although the CNTs were shortened and some Al4C3 formed in the matrix, the layer structures of the CNTs were well retained. Raman spectroscopy also showed that the damage to CNTs during FSP was not severe. Compared to that of unreinforced Al, the yield strength of 1 wt.% and 3 wt.% CNT/Al composites increased by 23.9% and 45.0%, respectively. A strength equation relating with load transfer and the grain refinement was proposed to describe the increase of the yield strength of the composites. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.