Alloying behavior of nanocrystalline Al-Ti-(Si) composite powders via mechanical alloying (MA) has been investigated, and the effect of Si on the microstructural changes during MA was discussed. The microstructures of both MA powders and extruded compacts were examined. In Al-Ti system, the solid solutionized nanocrystalline powders could be obtained by MA. On the contrary, fine Si particles were embedded as an elemental state in the matrix of Al-Ti-Si system because of the brittleness and the negligible solid solubility of Si in Al. After hot extrusion, Al3Ti phase was finely precipitated in Al-10fSTi alloy, and Si particles were dissolved to form (Al, Si)_3Ti phase in Al-10%Ti-2%Si alloy.