In order to investigate the effects of temperature and atmosphere on the strength of C/C composites, the elevated-temperature strengths of C/C composites were measured in vacuum and in alr. The strongth in vacuum increases with increasing temperature. The exposure of C/C composites to alr at elevated temperatures leads to a decrease of the room temperature strength due to oxidation. The residual strength after elevated temperature oxidation shows good correlation with weight loss or decrease of rigidity.