Disks of commercial alumina were fabricated by slip casting and sintering. Two surface finishes were performed: coarse (denoted as "C") using a 70 grit diamond wheel and fine (denoted as "F") with 120 and 320 grit SiC papers. The machined surfaces were analyzed by SEM, profilometry, and residual stresses measurements, The fracture strength was evaluated in biaxial flexure, and the thermal shock resistance was tested by cooling with a high-velocity air jet. The fracture of the specimens under both conditions was studied analyzing crack patterns and fracture surfaces in relation to the surface machining and type of loading, i.e., mechanical and thermal stresses.