The pulse electric current sintering technique (PECS) was demonstrated to be effective in rapid densification of fine-grained Al2O3/3Y-ZrO2 using available commercial powders. The composites attained full densification (>99% of TD) at 1450degreesC in less than 5 min. The composites sintered at a high heating rate had a fine microstructure. The incorporation of 3 vol% 3Y-ZrO2 substantially increased the average fracture strength and the toughness of alumina to as high as 827 MPa and 6.1 MPa.m(1/2), respectively. A variation in the heating rate during the PECS process influenced grain size, microstructure, and strength, though there was little or no variation in the fracture toughness.