In this study, the effect of surface oxidized modification on the mechanical properties of silicon carbide 3D/aluminum composites (SiC3D/Al) is explained. The basis of this study may be outlined as follows: the shear force of extrusion testing proves the effect of SiO2 layer thickness from the perspective of interface failure mechanism; and the critical pore radius explains the effect of SiO2 layer distribution from the perspective of a biconnected structure. The compression and flexural tests prove that compressive strength is mainly affected by the average SiO2 layer thickness. Bending strength is affected by the critical pore radius, which is the primary contributor to SiO2 layer thickness of the special structural space and stress concentration. Thus, the structural characteristics of SiC3D/Al affect the SiO2 growth mechanism, as indicated by the aforementioned results. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.