The effect of several variables such as the type of binder and additive, the temperature, time, furnace atmosphere, particle size and forming pressure, on the strength of chemically bonded SiC specimens was studied. It was shown that the highest compressive strength (43.67MPa at 500 o C) can be obtained by using optimum amounts of orthophosphoric acid and aluminium hydroxide as binder and additive respectively. Various stages in the structural development were followed by DTA, XRD and SEM/EDX analysis. It was shown that by using aluminium hydroxide and kaolin additives, phosphate bonding could be preserved at the specimen surfaces up to 1450 o C. (C)