Abstract: A method of preparing a composite of a metal oxide matrix with reinforcement particles distributed therein in gel form, by preparing a sol of a metal oxide of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, SiO.sub.2, MgO, ZrO.sub.2, Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 and mixtures thereof, bringing the sol near the point of gelation, adding reinforcement material consisting of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, SiC, SiO.sub.2, MgO, ZrO.sub.2, Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 and mixtures thereof in particulate form in an amount from about 5% by volume to about 90% by volume, and adding a control gelling agent in the form of an aqueous solution of a metal salt consisting of aluminum nitrate, magnesium nitrate, zirconium nitrate, chromium nitrate, silicon nitrate, neodymium nitrate and mixtures thereof in an amount corresponding to from about 1% to about 5% by weight of the metal salt based on the metal oxide in the sol to promote controlled gelation.

Abstract: A composite made by milling Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 gel to a powder in the size range of from about 20 mesh to about 400 mesh, mixing said Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 gel powder with a reinforcement material consisting of SiC, SiO.sub.2, C, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, ZrO.sub.2, Si.sub.2 N.sub.4, BN, B.sub.4 O, Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, TiC, TiB.sub.2, TiN and aluminosilicate, compressing and firing at an elevated temperature.