this volume is a compilation of papers presented in the mechanical behavior and performance of ceramics & composites and geopolymers and other inorganic polymers symposia during the 33rd international conference & exposition on advanced ceramics and composites held january 18-23, 2009, at daytona beach, florida. the mechanical behavior and performance of ceramics & composites symposium addressed the cutting-edge topics on mechanical properties and reliability of ceramics and composites and their correlations to processing, microstructure, and environmental effects. the symposium included over 100 presentations representing 10 countries. symposium topics included: ceramics and composites for engine applications design and life prediction methodologies environmental effects on mechanical properties mechanical behavior of porous ceramics reliability of small scale systems 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