$Si_3N_4$ powder with 2wt% $Al_2O_3$ and 6wt% $Y_2O_3$ additives was sintered by gas pressure sintering (GPS) technique. The variations in the unlubricated wear behavior depending on sintering time were compared. Tribological properties depending on sintering time are associated with fracture toughness as well as flexural strength of materials. When increasing the sintering time, the larger elongated grains were formed as a result of exaggerated grain growth. As the fracture toughness and flexural strength decreased, the wear volume increased. On the basis of these experimental results, the unlubricated wear properties of silicon nitride were found to be governed mostly by both the fracture toughness and the flexural strength of the material.