An aluminium matrix composite with iron aluminide formed in situ as a result of self-propagated high-temperature synthesis was examined. The structural characteristics of the reinforcement investigated by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy methods are presented. Iron aluminide particles with a very fine grain size and of two shapes, cubic and needle-like, were observed. No differences in their phase composition were found by the selective electron diffraction pattern method. The composite reinforcement formed in the early stage of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis consisted only of the Al(3)Fe phase.