In the framework of the European COST 507 project the specific heat capacities of aluminium alloys and metal matrix composites based thereon have been measured between 20 and 520 degrees C by differential scanning calorimetry and stored in the databank THERSYST along with other thermophysical properties mainly drawn from literature. The curves show the influence of additional elements and reinforcements, of the fabrication process, thermomechanical treatment and scanning rate on the precipitation and dissolution kinetics of the various metastable phases and their relative amounts. The database may be used to select existing light alloys or elaborate new ones in view of specific technical applications.