Abstract: A method is disclosed of making a sintered composite unitary artifact having an alpha-alumina component fast with a metal component. Particulate alpha-alumina and a glass-forming additive are mixed together; and a green artifact is pressed having an alumina portion formed from the mixture and a metal portion formed from a particulate metal. The green artifact is then heated under a non-oxidizing atmosphere to a temperature at which both portions undergo densification. This provides a sintered artifact having a debased alpha-alumina component sintered to a metal artifact.