Statistics for The precipitation hardening of a Al-Zn-Mg-Al<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf>(p) composite is explored. It is found that the peak hardness achieved is almost double that of precipitation hardening of Al-Zn-Mg alloy or dispersion strengthening of Al-Zn-Mg with 5% Al<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf>(p). Toughness is marginally improved and tensile strength is one and half times that of precipitation hardened Al-Zn-Mg alloys. The ageing time for peak hardness is reduced due to acceleration of formation of precipitate. © Indian Academy of Sciences.