In this paper, rotating-bending fatigue tests of the SiC-whisker- reinforced 6061-T6 aluminum alloy and 6061-T6 alumiunm alloy made by power metallurgy were carried out to investigate the fatigue characteristics of plain and notched specimens at room temperature. The fatigue mechnisms in both materials were clarified through successive surface observations using the plastic replica method. In the case of the SiC-whisker-reinforced composites, there are whisker rich and poor zones and the fatigue crack is nucleated from the end of whiskers near the boundary. On the other hand, in the case of the 6061-T6 aluminum alloy, the fatigue crack is nucleated from defects and propagates by shear. Moreover, the results were discussed based on linear notch mechanics.