Fully dense SiC ceramics with high strength at high temperature were obtained by hot-pressing and subsequent annealing under pressure, with AIN and Er2O3 as sintering additives. The ceramics had a self-reinforced microstructure consisting of elongated SiC grains and a grain-boundary glassy phase. The strength of these ceramics was similar to 550 MPa at 1600 degreesC, and the fracture toughness was similar to6 MPa(,)m(1/2) at room temperature. The beneficial effect of the new additive composition on high-temperature strength might be attributable to the introduction of aluminum from the liquid composition into the SiC lattice, resulting in a refractive grain-boundary glassy phase.