As a ceramic material with excellent properties,aluminum nitride(AlN)is of great application value in the fields of thermology,mechanics,electronics,etc.The metal matrix composites formed by adding AlN ceramics to Al,Mg and other metals can obtain desirable comprehensive properties.The structure and properties of AlN were briefly introduced,and the research status of preparation methods,microstructure,mechanical and thermophysical properties of AlN reinforced Al and Mg matrix composites was reviewed.The existing problems of the composites were explored,and future application directions were prospected.