An yttrium aluminum (YAl 2 ) intermetallic compound ingot was prepared in an induction furnace under vacuum. The microstructure of YAl 2 ingot was characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The load bearing response of YAl 2 intermetallic was investigated and compared with SiC ceramic by indentation combined with optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, the tensile properties of the Mg-Li matrix composites reinforced with ultrafine YAl 2 particles fabricated by planet ball milling were tested.The results show that the intermetallic compound ingot in this experiment is composed of a main face-centered-cubic structure YAl 2 phase, a small amount of YAl phase, and minor Y and Al-rich phases. YAl 2 intermetallic compound has excellent stability and shows better capability in crack resistance than SiC ceramic. The YAl 2 intermetallic compound has better deformation compatibility with the Mg-14Li-3Al matrix than SiC reinforcement with the matrix, which leads to the superior resistance to crack for YAl 2p /Mg-14Li-3Al composite compared to SiC p /Mg-14Li-3Al composite.2