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Near-fully dense Ti(3)Si(Al)C(2)/Ti(5)Si(3) Composites were synthesized by in situ hot pressing/solid-liquid reaction process under a pressure of 30MPa in a flowing Ar atmosphere at 1580 degrees C for 60 min. Compared to monolithic Ti(3)Si(Al)C(2), Ti(3)Si(Al)C(2/)Ti(5)Si(3) composites exhibit higher hardness and improved wear resistance, but a slight loss in flexural strength (about 26% lower than Ti(3)Si(Al)C(2) matrix). In addition, Ti(3)Si(Al)C(2)/Ti(5)Si(3) composites maintain a high fracture toughness (K(IC) =5.69-6.79 MPa m(1/2)). The Ti(3)Si(Al)C(2)/30 vol.% Ti(5)Si(3) composite shows the highest Vickers hardness (68% higher than that of Ti(3)Si(Al)C(2)) and best wear resistance (the wear resistance increases by 2 orders of magnitude). The improved properties are mainly ascribed to the contribution of hard Ti(5)Si(3) particles, and the strength degradation is mainly due to the lower Young's modulus and strength of Ti(5)Si(3). (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.