AION-TiC composites were fabricated via a reaction-bonding technique, using A1, A1(2)O(3) and TiC powders as the starting materials. A composite sample sintered at 1850 degrees C after nitriding is highly densified and the Vickers hardness and fracture toughness of the sample are about 1751.1 kg/mm(2) and 5.3 MPa m(1/2), respectively. The composition and microstructure of the sample are characterized by means of XRD and SEM/EDX. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.