The structure and chemistry of interfaces formed between molten Al or Al-6Ti alloy and dense carbon material (vitreous carbon or carbon fibres) under different processing parameters were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Alloying Al with Ti was found to improve the chemical compatibility in the Al/C system by forming TiC instead of undesirable Al4C3 if processing conditions (e.g. in squeeze casting process) assure kinetic compatibility in the system. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.