Results are presented from a study of the growth of the crystalline phases, the size distribution of the pores, and the size distribution of the particles that make up the powders. The powders were obtained by a water-based combustion method with the use of a mix containing solutions of nitrates of metals, SiO 2 (aerosil), an oxidant, and different fuels. The article reports results obtained from the formation of the crystalline phases and data on the pore-size distribution, apparent density, degree of sintering, and physico-mechanical properties of specimens sintered from the powders by the conventional method in the range 1300 -1500°C with and without the use of a clay addition. The powders formed by the combustion of carbamide and limonic acid are characterized by developed mullitization and crystallization of the tetragonal phase of ZrO 2 , the formation of coarse and relatively coarse pores, and the formation of fine and moderate-sized particles. The specimens sintered from such powders in the range 1300 -1500°C with a clay addition are characterized by developed crystallization of the phases and maximum values for apparent density, degree of sintering, and the indices of the physico-mechanical properties. These results stand in contrast to the results obtained for the specimens sintered from similar powders without clay and specimens sintered from clay and powders obtained by the combustion of glucose and saccharose.Producing finely dispersed initial powders with a narrow particle-size distribution and a developed surface area is currently the key to improving the phase composition, apparent density, degree of sintering, and physico-mechanical properties of mullite-zirconia ceramics [1, 2]. Powders of this type can be obtained by infiltration [2, 3] and by modern (non-traditional) methods of synthesis such as sol-gel synthesis [4], hydrothermal synthesis, and combustion [6 -8].The properties of the powders obtained by these methods are controlled by controlling the conditions which exist during the synthesis process [4 -8].In all of the above-mentioned chemical methods of producing mullite and mullite-zirconia powders, during combustion the phases that are formed in the powder crystallize, the product's density decreases (pores are formed in it), and the powders begin to disintegrate [6 -8].Powders with the properties described above can be obtained by regulating the proportions of metal nitrate (oxidant) and fuel [6,7] and by using a strongly exothermic fuel [7,9], an active external oxidant [10 -12], and excess fuel [12].As a result, the mullite and mullite-zirconia powders that are obtained are characterized by rapid crystallization of the mullite phase and the tetragonal phase of ZrO 2 , the formation of moderate-sized and coarse pores (up to 85 mm), and the presence of fine (10 -35 mm) particles [6,8,12]. Agglomerates consisting of sintered particles are also formed in the mullite-zirconia powder [7,9,12].The formation of dense ceramic specimens during sintering from powders obtained by the combustion ...