Abstract: A compound or composite powder which includes metallic or ceramic whiskers embedded in a metallic or ceramic matrix as host material, the whiskers have a length between 5.times.10.sup.-6 m and 2.times.10.sup.-4 m and diameters between 2.times.10.sup.-7 m and 1.times.10.sup.-5 m, and are embedded in the matrix with a volume proportion of whisker content between 1 to 50% (by volume), the reference being to a pore-free compacted compound/composite material; the whiskers being made of SiC, Si.sub.-3 N.sub.-4, Al.sub.-2 O.sub.-3 or ZrO.sub.-2 and are embedded in a ceramic matrix being Al.sub.-2 O.sub.-3, Al.sub.-2 O.sub.-3 +from 5 to 40% ZrO.sub.-2 +from 0 to 5% Y.sub.-2 O.sub.-3 or ZrO.sub.-2 with 3 to 15% Y.sub.-2 O.sub.-3 or Si-nitride or Si-carbide. Alternatively the whiskers are made of Si.sub.-3 N.sub.-4, Al.sub.-2 O.sub.-3, ZrO.sub.-2 or W and the matrix is made of W, Mo, Fe, Ni, Co, Cu or an alloy thereof.