Abstract: The effect mechanism of machining on the properties of ceramic materials and the research progress about machinable ceramics are described.Because ceramics are brittle materials,it is easy to introduce extrinsic defects such as micro-cracks and residual stress into ceramics during machining process,which causes damage in ceramics.Machinable ceramics are designed and fabricated by improving the microstructure of ceramics.The machinable ceramics such as glass-ceramic,Ti3SiC2,Si3N4,SiC and oxide ceramics are briefly introduced.