Bulk aluminium samples containing alumina particles have been produced by different severe plastic deformation methods. Aluminium foils with different initial foil thicknesses were cold rolled to different amounts of strain and aluminium powders were consolidated and deformed by high pressure torsion (HPT). During processing, alumina particles from the foil or particle surface are easily incorporated and dispersed in the bulk material. The influence of these alumina particles on the developing microstructures and the mechanical properties has been studied.