The oxidation behavior of TiAl-containing dispersed particles of (5, 10, 15 mass%) SiC has been studied between 1273 and 1473 K in air. The SiC additions decreased the oxidation rate and exhibited a most pronounced effect for TiAl-10 and 15 mass%SiC composites. The effect of SiC particles is mainly twofold. Firstly, some of the SiC particles reacted with Ti to form Ti–Si compounds, resulting in a decrease in the activity of Ti and, consequently, an increase in the activity of Al in bulk composites. Hence, a thin protective scale mainly composed of a single layer of α-Al₂O₃ was formed on TiAl/SiC_p, contrary to other SiC-free TiAl alloys where relatively thick oxides having multiple layers of TiO₂ and α-Al₂O₃ formed. Secondly, finely distributed unreacted SiC particles promoted fine-grained oxide layer formation by acting as nucleation sites. This increase in nucleation allowed a more rapid formation of α-Al₂O₃ and, lowered the total weight gain. The new alloy system of TiAl/SiC_p composites is considered to be one of the most oxidation-resistant TiAl alloys developed.