Cu coated Ti3AlC2 particle was prepared by one-step electroless plating method.
AlCu/Ti3AlC2 composites were successfully fabricated by hot-pressing sintering process.
Cu layer could react with Al to form Al2Cu bridge interface between Ti3AlC2 and Al matrix.
Ti3AlC2 could play effective pinning role due to the enhanced Al2Cu interface.
AlCu/Ti3AlC2 composites showed significantly improved mechanical and tribological properties than Al
Ti3AlC2 composites.