Luminescence induced by mechanical stress has been observed in the SrAl2O4:Eu, Dy phosphors. The Dy3+ doping concentration and the loading pressure show strong influence on the intensity but the Eu2+ doped samples show little effect of mechanoluminescence (ML). The origin of the ML may be ascribed to the holes released due to the stress on the phosphors and then recombine with metastable Eu+1. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.