The symmetric gradient materials of MoSi₂/Al₂O₃/Ni/Al₂O₃/MoSi₂ were fabricated by SHS/HIP compaction. Due to the thermal expansion mismatch between the outer MoSi₂ and inner Al₂O₃-Ni layers, the compressive residual stress as much as 100MPa was induced in the MoSi₂ surface, which enhanced the toughness to 5.8MPa·m^1/2 comparing to 3.8MPa·m^1/2 of the monolithic MoSi₂. The flexural strength of the FGMs was 580MPa which is slightly higher than the monolithic MoSi₂. It was found that Al₂O₃ in the FGMs acted as a diffusion barrier to Ni even under heat treatment at 900°C for 8hr.