Alpha-SIG powder containing 7.2 wt% Y3Al5O12 (YAG, yttrium aluminum garnet) and 4.8 wt% SiO2 as sintering aids were hot-pressed (SC0) at 1820 degrees C for 1 h and subsequently annealed at 1920 degrees C for 2 h (SC2), 4 h (SC4) and 8 h (SC8). When the annealing time was increased, the microstructure changed from equiaxed to elongated grains and resulted in self-reinforced microstructure consisted of large elongated grains and small equiaxed grains. Development of self-reinforced microstructure, consisted of mostly 6H phase, resulted in significant improvements in toughness. However, the improved toughness was offset by a significant reduction in strength as in the materials consisted of 4H originated from beta-SiC The fracture toughness and strength of the 8-h annealed materials were 5.5 MPa.m(1/2) and 490 MPa, respectively.