Cold isostatic pressed then hot extruded AlLi alloys reinforced with 10–20 wt% SiC particulates have been produced successfully. Such composites are well-known for their high specific strength, high wear resistance, but poor machinability. Analytical based published papers on the machinability of metal matrix composites are very limited. This study utilizes Taylor's tool life equation to model a facing process such that the performance of a single-point cutting tool can be predicted and optimized for different cutting conditions. Different approaches based on linear accumulative damage results in two different models. The models were first verified with data from the turning and facing of steel, then applied to study the machinability of AlLi SiC_p composites. Performances of tested tool materials (i.e. high speed steel, titanium nitride coated high speed steel, tungsten carbide, cubic boron nitride (CBN), and polycrystalline diamond) used in machining these composites were ranked. Sub-surface damage of faced samples was assessed by measuring the micro-hardness of the plastically deformed matrix, and microscopically examining cross sections of chemically etched samples. CBN and diamond tools fracture the SiC particulates along their crystallographic planes and induce little damage in the matrix, while other tools not only delaminate the particulates from the matrix, but also roughen the particulates, and significantly deform the matrix.