The influence of microstructure on the indentation-strength and solid particle erosive wear behaviour of a liquid-phase-sintered (LPS) alumina subjected to coarsening, quenching and crystallisation heat-treatments were investigated. Strength as a function of crack size using Vickers indentations of varying loads was assessed. The short-crack toughness curves (T-curves) of the materials were evaluated from indentation-strength data which is pertinent to wear properties, since wear is governed by fracture characteristics at small flaw sizes. The effects of impact angle and particle velocity on erosive wear rates were also analysed. The relationship between short-crack toughness behaviour and erosion resistance are discussed with reference to the material microstructures and phase composition.