The material behavior of dominant elastic-plastic, spherical gamma-Al2O3-granules at compression until primary breakage has been experimentally studied. For this, the mechanical properties of the granules were determined using recorded force-displacement-curves. The influence of particle size and moisture content on the compression behavior has also been investigated. Additionally, the specific fracture energy distribution and the distribution of the equivalent impact velocity at fracture were derived from the force-displacement-curves. The work provides a basis for understanding the influence on the material behavior at wetting of hygroscopic and highly porous granules. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.