In this paper mechanical properties of reaction-bonded silicon nitride are studied with the variation of initial nitrogen partial pressure. At 1, 25$0^{circ}C$ the amount of nitridation and the nucleation of nitride increase linearly with the nitrogen partial pressure increase. After the nitridation is completed the density of nitride and modulus of rupture at room temperature are increased with the amount of nitridation. When the partial pressure of nitrogen is 0.5 atm the specimen show the optimum properties that is the highest density of nitride and modulus of rupture. Also the microstructure of $alpha$-matte is deveoped very well at that pressure of nitrogen which contributes to the strength development of specimen. It is shown that with proper control of initial partial pressure of nitrogen high strength silicon nitride body can be manufactured for dynamic applications.