Two kinds of Al2O3 /SiC nanocomposites with different alumina powder are developed, one is fabricated only by nano-scale alumina powders, the other is by micro-scale with partial nano-scale alumina powders. Both of the two composites may get higher flexural strength and fracture toughness than that of micro-scale monolithic alumina ceramics, but the latter is more preferable than the former. The microstructure and the strengthening and toughening mechanisms of the new ceramic tool materials are investigated, the improvement of mechanical properties may be mainly attributed to the transgranular fracture mode induced by the added nano-scale SiC, while adding nano-scale alumina powder to micro-scale powder, both of the nano-scale Al2O3 and nano-scale SiC may strengthen the micro-scale Al2O3 matrix, that means the nano-scale Al2O3 acted as the dispersed phase.