a metal matrix composite material having uniformly dispersed intermetallic compounds and no micropores is manufactured by forming a porous preform including 60 % to 80 % by volume fine fragments essentially made of aluminum , 1 % to 10 % by volume fine fragments essentially made of nickel , copper or both , and 1 % to 10 % by volume fine fragments essentially made of titanium so that these fine fragments occupy in total 62 % to 95 % by volume of said preform , and at least a part of the preform is contacted with a melt of a matrix metal selected from aluminum , aluminum alloy , magnesium and magnesium alloy , so that the porous preform is infiltrated with the melt under no substantial application of pressure to the melt .