Al 2 O 3 based porous ceramic (APC) is prepared successfully by a polymer sponge replica method 4 . The main raw material used is white fuzed corundum powder. The effect of zirconium dioxide content (0 -12 wt.%), sintering temperature (1450 -1550°C), and holding duration (2 -6 h) on APC phase composition, macrostructure, microstructure, and properties after sintering, ultimate strength in compression and thermal shock resistance, are studied. Porous ceramic based on Al 2 O 3, exhibiting an ultrafine microstructure, may be prepared by adding ZrO 2 . It has been detected that APC properties depend to a considerable extent on production process parameters. APC exhibiting considerable porosity (88.9%), good ultimate strength in compression (0.52 MPa), and good thermal shock resistance (19 thermal cycles) may be obtained by firing a specimen containing 8 wt.% ZrO 2 at 1500°C and holding for 2 h.