Dense Si 3 N 4-based composites with O'-SiAlON bonding phase were prepared by hot pressing of the mixture of Si 3 N 4 matrix and polysiloxane (samples SA) and polysilazane (samples SB) based sintering aids. In both samples α-Si 3 N 4 and β-Si 3 N 4 were identified as major phases and O'-SiAlON with a chemical formula Si 1.84 Al 0.16 O 1.16 N 1.84 as a minor phase. The hydrothermal corrosion tests were performed in subcritical conditions at 250°C for 100 hours. The weight loss was rather low, 0.96 wt. % and 1.32 wt. % for samples SA and SB, respectively. The corrosion rate of samples SA and SB was 206 mg•m-2 •h-1 and 233 mg•m-2 •h-1. The higher corrosion rate of sample SB prepared with polysilazane-based sintering aid is most probably due to the hydrothermal dissolution of Si 3 N 4 grains producing ammonia, as the pH value of eluate of this sample was higher, 8.5 compared to pH = 8.0 determined for sample SA. In sample SA a continuous SiO 2-based passivation layer was formed, while in sample SB the passivation layer was discontinuous and the corrosion medium could easily attack the Si 3 N 4 grains. As the corrosion solution was more basic in sample SB, the SiO 2 passivation layer did not form so effectively, or dissolved faster than in sample SA. The higher corrosion resistance of sample SA was partly improved also by using Y 2 O 3 sintering additive, which formed a rather stable Y 2 SiO 5 phase.