Composites in the SiC-TiC-Ti3SiC2 system were synthesized using reactive hot pressing at 1600 degrees C. The results indicate that addition of Ti3SiC2 to SiC leads to improved fracture toughness. In addition, high microhardness can be retained if TiC is added to the material. The best combination of properties obtained in this study is K-Ic = 8.3 MPa (.) m(1/2) and H-v = 17.6 GPa. The composition can be tailored in situ using the decomposition of Ti3SiC2. Ti3SiC2 decomposed rapidly at temperatures above 1800 degrees C, but the decomposition could be conducted in a controlled manner at 1750 degrees C. This can be used for synthesis of fully dense composites with improved properties by first consolidating to full density a softer Ti3SiC2-rich initial composition, and then using controlled decomposition of Ti3SiC2 to achieve the desired combination of microhardness and fracture toughness.