## 1 Introduction  
The powder metallurgy (PM) method is a potentially viable, energetically efficient and economically cost-effective and feasible method for producing both simple and complex parts to the required dimensions. In recent years, the PM technique has been proven to have an edge over conventional casting processes to produce metal matrix composites (MMCs) with the reinforcement being ceramic particles [1, 2, 3]. Powder metallurgy-based metal matrix composites (MMCs) are currently being chosen and used for the development of components in the fields spanning aerospace, automotive and even electronics, to name a few [4]. Recently, PM techniques have also been used in additive manufacturing [5]. Powder metallurgy (PM)-based composites have an observably lower density and a higher hardness coupled with a higher porosity when compared with stir casting-based composites. However, the reinforcements are uniformly distributed in the metal matrix usingthe powder metallurgy (PM) method when compared with conventional stir casting processes [6]. That is, a near uniform distribution of the reinforcing particles in the metal matrix is not controlled by the conventional casting process, which often results in inhomogeneous physical and mechanical properties of the chosen composite material. In a casting-based Al/SiC composite, an agglomeration of the reinforcing silicon carbide (SiC) particles often results in a weaker bonding with the aluminum matrix [7]. Aluminum and its alloys are usually chosen as the matrix primarily because of its low density, high strength-to-weight (\(\sigma/\rho\)) ratio, excellent corrosion resistance, ductile matrix and, importantly, a reasonable and economically viable cost. Silicon carbide and alumina (Al\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{3}\)) are the commonly chosen and used reinforcements for aluminum and other metal matrixes due to a combination of favorable properties, including the following: (i) a high service temperature; (ii) a high hot strength; (iii) a high elastic modulus; and (iv) good thermal shock resistance. In addition, they have the tendency to form a strong interfacial bond with the aluminum metal matrix and have a high wear resistance [8; 9; 10; 11]. Several studies have been carried out on single reinforcement aluminum/silicon carbide (Al/SiC) composites using the powder metallurgy process for the purpose of evaluating their physical and mechanical properties [12; 13; 14; 15]. The porosity and sintered properties of the PM-based composite can be controlled by controlling the sintering parameters, namely: (i) the temperature and (ii) the sintering time [16; 17; 18]. The reinforcement particle size and its volume fraction in the Al matrix have a vital role in the density and mechanical properties of Al metal matrix composites [19; 20; 21; 22]. The synergetic effect of multiple reinforcements such as SiC/Al\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{3}\) in an Al matrix alters the porosity that causes the variation in the mechanical properties of Al metal matrix composites [23; 24]. Recently, hybrid metal matrix composites have attracted attention for use in different applications and research has been carried out to understand the various properties that these hybrid composites have to offer [25; 26; 27; 28; 29; 30; 31]. [PERSON] et al. (2020) [25] studied the evolution of the microstructure of two varieties of hybrid composites such as Al/SiC/graphite and Al/SiC/graphene by the PM process, where graphene in the Al and nanostructure composite could be formed. In the PM process, the effect of the sintering temperature and compaction pressure on an Al/Al\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{3}\)/WS2 hybrid composite was investigated by [PERSON] and [PERSON] (2020) [27]. A compaction pressure of 560 MPa and a sintering temperature of 600 \({}^{\circ}\)C for the Al/Al\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{3}\)/WS2 hybrid composite revealed good densification (porosity \(\sim\)8%), resulting in a hardness value of 6364 Hv. In a hybrid composite, the volume percentage of the reinforcement also influences its overall properties. [PERSON] et al.