The (Al+12.5 at.%Cu)(3)Zr alloy was prepared by mechanical alloying followed by cold isostatic pressing and sintering at high temperatures. The oxidation between 673 and 973 K in air progressed by oxygen dissolution arisen by the zirconium's high affinity and solubility of oxygen. The porous (Al+ 12.5 at.%Cu)(3)Zr alloy oxidized even faster than Ti(3)Al alloys, because no Al(2)O(3) barrier layers formed.