The physical, thermal, and mechanical characteristics of self-reinforced calcium-hexaluminate/alumina composites with a graded microstructure are described. The presence of CA 6 phase in Al 2 O 3 matrix has a significant effect on the physical, thermal, and mechanical properties of graded Al 2 O 3 –CA 6 composites. The slightly lower shrinkage and density in the graded composite can be attributed to the presence of CA 6 phase. The thermal expansion and densification behaviour of the graded composite showed that the presence of CA 6 phase hinders the processes of sintering and densification of alumina matrix. When compared to the alumina region, the graded CA 6 –Al 2 O 3 region is softer by virtue of the presence of the softer CA 6 phase. However, the fracture toughness in the graded region is higher than the alumina region which can be attributed to the display of crack deflection and crack-bridging provided by the CA 6 platelets.