Alumina with a sputter-deposited metal film was diffusion bonded to Inconel 600. A higher bonding strength and lower joining temperature were obtained with titanium coating compared to that for the non-coated sample. The improved joining behaviour was attributed to an enhanced interface reaction and reduction in the thermal stress. Also, the effect of various coatings of 3 mu m thickness on the mechanical property of alumina after heat treatment at 1000 degrees C for 30 min under 10(-6) torr vacuum was evaluated in terms of modulus of rupture (MOR) using a Weibull plot. While the Cu coating did not change MOR strength of alumina, the reactive Ti and Zr metal coatings caused a noticeable reduction in averaged MOR strength. The effect of co-sputtering of Ti-Cu, and bilayer coatings of Cu/Ti and Ti/Cu was also investigated.