This paper describes some technical limitations encountered in joining ceramics-ceramics or ceramics-metals, and how, to some extent, they have been practically overcome. The effect of the residual stresses on the strength of joints fabricated between alumina-alumina or alumina and the nickel base alloy HAYNES(A (R)) 214 (TM) using a solid-state bonding technique with Ni interlayer was studied. Finite element analyses (FEA) for the elastic-plastic and elastic-plastic-creep behavior have also been used to better design the joints and to predict their performance. It was found that the residual stresses caused by the thermal expansion mismatch between alumina (Al2O3) and the Ni-based superalloy (HAYNES(A (R)) 214 (TM)) have severely deteriorated the joints compared to Al2O3-Al2O3 joint fabricated with the same solid-state bonding parameters. The high residual stresses zones obtained through the FEA simulation fitted well with the fractographic observations of the Al2O3/Ni/HAYNES(A (R)) 214 (TM) joints. Also, in order to use the joint material as a structural material, the study about the effect of geometrical parameters has been performed. Optimal geometries have been determined.