Polycrystalline Fe2AlB2 bulk including minor Al2O3 is synthesized by reactive hot pressing from Fe, Al, and B powders at 1200 degrees C and 30 MPa for 30 minutes, with a relative density of 96%. The present approach enables a markedly reduced holding time compared with previous studies. The derived Fe2AlB2 shows an electrical resistivity of 2.27 +/- 0.01 mu Omega.m, Vickers hardness of 10.2 +/- 0.2 GPa, flexural strength of 232 +/- 25 MPa, compressive strength of 2101 +/- 202 MPa, fracture toughness of 5.4 +/- 0.2 MPa.m(1/2) and work of fracture of 117 +/- 12 J/m(2). No dominant indentation cracks are observed, indicating that Fe2AlB2 may be quite damage tolerant. Interestingly, a noncatastrophic failure is present in the SENB test, with a high work of fracture. The energy-absorbing mechanisms in inhibiting crack formation are delamination and pullout of Fe2AlB2 grains.