Sintering of aluminum alloys is usually performed by the formation of a liquid phase. A liquid phase in 2xxx series alloys is formed from alpha+Al2Cu eutectic. In this work, the influences of trace elements like Sn or Pb, and the addition of a ceramic reinforcement, such as TiCN, on 2014 alloys are studied. Mechanical properties as well as a microstructural study show improved results. (c) 2006 Springer Science+ Business Media, Inc.