Abstract The extrusion of a zirconia matrix reinforced with 13 vol.% SiC whiskers has been studied at 1550 and 1600°C. This method uses the superplasticity properties of the matrix and allowed fully densified composites to be obtained inside which the whisker orientation approximated the extrusion direction. Microstructures are characterized in terms of whisker alignment and zirconia grain shapes. The room-temperature mechanical properties of extruded material are remarkably improved compared to those of the same composition obtained by hot-pressing. The reinforcement effect, related to the nearly uniaxial whisker alignment, is essentially due to whisker pull-out phenomena even if pull-out lengths did not exceed a few whisker radii.