ZrO 2 -Al 2 O 3 -SiC w composite powder mixtures were prepared by carbothermal reduction of natural silicates (e.g., zircon, sillimanite and kaolin). Activated charcoal was used as the reducing agent. The reactions were carried out in a graphite furnace at 1650°C in argon atmosphere at a positive pressure of 0.15 MPa. XRD investigation of the product phases confirms the completion of the reaction and the phases were identified as monoclinic zirconia, tetragonal zirconia, α-alumina and β-silicon carbide. SEM investigation of the powders reveals the whisker morphology of β-silicon carbide. It was observed that a small amount of zirconia was present in tetragonal form in addition to monoclinic form which could be due to fine particle size of the starting powder.