The transient liquid phase diffusion bonding of Si 3N 4 ceramics with Ti/Ni/Ti and Al/Ti/Al multiple interlayers was performed. The formation of intermetallic compounds in situ and their effects on the joints strengths were investigated. The Ti/Ni/Ti interlayers produce NiTi and Ni 3Ti layers with considerable room temperature ductility and high elevated temperature strength to strengthen the bonding zone metals and the joints. The joints with 142 MPa shear strength at room temperature and 88 MPa shear strength at 800 ℃ are achieved under appropriate parameters, respectively. Al/Ti/Al interlayers transform into a special bonding zone metal with a large amount of Al 3Ti particles and a small amount of Al based solid solution, and in this case, the joints are strengthened significantly. Their strengths at room temperature and 600 ℃ reach 90 MPa and 30 MPa, respectively.