This volume is a compilation of papers presented in the Mechanical Behavior and Performance of Ceramics & Composites symposium during the 34th International Conference & Exposition on Advanced Ceramics and Composites (ICACC) held January 24-29, 2010, in Daytona Beach, Florida.  The Mechanical Behavior and Performance of Ceramics & Composites symposium was one of the largest symposia in terms of the number (>100) of presentations at the ICACC’10.  This symposium covered wide ranging and cutting-edge topics on mechanical properties and reliability of ceramics and composites and their correlations to processing, microstructure, and environmental effects. Symposium topics included: • Ceramics and composites for engine applications • Design and life prediction methodologies • Environmental effects on mechanical properties • Mechanical behavior of porous ceramics • Ultra high temperature ceramics • Ternary compounds • Mechanics & characterization of nanomaterials and devices • Novel test methods and equipment • Processing - microstructure - mechanical properties correlations • Ceramics & composites joining and testing • NDE of ceramic components