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Abstract In this study, we produced, through hot pressing (HP) and spark plasma sintering (SPS) techniques, Al2O3-NbC composites for applications in machining processes. We report an experimental investigation of sintered composites’ structural, thermal, morphological, physical, and mechanical properties. The results confirm that the Al2O3-NbC composite sintered by both techniques presents a heterogeneous microstructure with distinct grain sizes and irregular geometries. Another stimulating factor is the increase of 25.86% in Vickers hardness, 14.89% in Young’s modulus, and 16.52% in mechanical strength of the composite sintered by SPS about the composite sintered by HP. Thus, our results can be used to address material properties targeting the needs of specific technological applications.