Al2O3 reinforced by SiC whiskers (Al2O3/SiC-W) was hot-pressed to investigate the crack-healing behavior. Semielliptical surface cracks of 100 mum in surface length were introduced using a Vickers indenter. The specimens containing precracks were crack-healed at temperatures between 1000degrees and 1300degreesC for 1 h in air, and their strengths were measured by three-point bending tests at room temperature and elevated temperatures between 400degrees and 1300degreesC. The results show that Al2O3/SiC-W possesses considerable crack-healing ability. The surface cracks with length of 2c = 100 mum could be healed by crack-healing at 1200degrees or 1300degreesC for 1 h in air. Fracture toughness of the material was also determined. As expected, the SiC whiskers made their Al2O3 tougher.