PURPOSE: To obtain a ceramic member for a cutting tool capable of exhibiting excellent cutting performance for a long period by allowing both aluminum oxide and oxide of Mg, Y or Zr to be incorporated and allowing the balance to consist of double carbide of Ti and Hf at a specified rate.

CONSTITUTION: The title ceramic member incorporates 10W45wt.% aluminum oxide and 0.5W8wt.% one or more kinds selected from among oxides of Mg, Y and Zr and consists of the balance 51W90wt.% double carbide of Ti and Hf and inevitable impurities and the above-mentioned double carbide of Ti and Hf has composition satisfying (2/8W9.5/0.5) Ti/Hf by weight ratio. This double carbide of Ti and Hf has action for improving thermal shock resistance of the member and furthermore has action for keeping hardness and wear resistance of the member in a high state by holding fine particles size even after sintering. However since the above-mentioned actions can not be recognized in the content less than 51% and on the other hand, when the content exceeds 90%, wear resistance at a time of high-speed cutting in a dry state is especially lowered, the content is regulated to 51W90%.