Al2O3-YAG (Y3Al5O12) composite coatings were successfully fabricated on NiCoCrAlY alloy substrates by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) in Y3+ doped composite sol-gel suspensions and pressure filtration microwave sintering (PFMS). The composite coating was dense, crack-free and had good adherence with substrate even after cycling oxidation at 1000 degrees C for 200 h. Filed emission SEM showed that nano-size YAG particles were embedded in alpha-Al2O3 matrix. The high-temperature cyclic oxidation tests revealed that the oxidation resistance and spallation resistance were greatly improved. The oxidation resistance of alloy is mainly determined by alpha-Al2O3 sealing effect and reactive elements effects (REE) on the thermally grown oxide (TGO) scale. Moreover, the enhanced fracture toughness and strength of this composite coating can be attributed to the nano/submicro composite structure and YAG particles toughening effects. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.