Mullite coating on recrystallized silicon carbide was successfully prepared by the sol-gel route. The cycling oxidation of coated recrystallized silicon carbide was performed at the high temperature 1500 degreesC. For comparison, the oxidation of uncoated recrystallized silicon carbide was also carried out at the same condition. The results indicated that a layer of compact, adhesive and crack free mullite coating was performed on the recrystallized silicon carbide. After oxidation, the new coatings exhibits adherence and crack resistance under thermal cycling between room temperature and 1500 degreesC, therefore the oxidation resistance capability of silicon carbide was enhanced. With the increase of the mullite coating thickness, the oxidation resistance of silicon carbide would be further improved. The formation mechanism of mullite coating was analyzed and discussed and the oxidation dynamics model of mullite-coated silicon carbide has been proposed. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.