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In the present work, Al–nano MgO composites using A356 aluminum alloy and MgO nanoparticles (1.5, 2.5, and 5 vol.%) have been fabricated via stir casting and powder metallurgy (PM) methods. Different processing temperatures of 800, 850, and 950 °C for stir casting and 575, 600, and 625 °C for powder metallurgy were considered. Powder metallurgy samples showed more porosity portions compare to the casting samples which results in higher density values of casting composites (close to the theoretical density) compare to the sintering samples. Introduction of MgO nanoparticles to the Al matrix caused increasing of the hardness values which was more considerable in casting samples. The highest hardness value for casting and sintering samples have been obtained at 850 and 625 °C respectively, in 5 vol.% of MgO. Compressive strength values of casting composites were higher than sintered samples …