A SiC whisker-toughened SiC-CrSi, oxidation protective coating was prepared on the surface of C/C composites by a two-step technique of slurry and pack cementation. The oxidation protective ability and thermal stress resistance of the coating exhibit the trend of increase first and decrease afterwards as the SiCw content increases from 0 to 20 wt.%. The compound effect of SiCw and CrSi, on the oxidation protective ability of SiC coating is better than their individual ones. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.