The formation characteristics of YAG phase synthesized by fast-firing Y2O3 and Al2O3 powder mixtures were examined. Y2O3 powders of 100, 350, and 500 nm in D-50 were mixed with alpha-Al2O3 powder of (D-50) 200 nm to obtain starting powders denoted as S0.5. S1.75, and S2.5, respectively. In these mixtures, the two oxides contacted wholly with each other but varied in number of contact points and diffusion length. This study aimed to eliminate the YAM and YAP phases, which normally occur during YAG formation. Examinations were conducted using pressed compacts (bulk density of 0.91 g cm(-3)) prepared with the three mixtures. After pre-heating at 700 degrees C for 30 s, the compacts were plunged at temperatures of 1050-1450 degrees C for 5-60 s and then quenched to room temperature. In the S0.5 system, one-step YAG formation occurred by an interface-controlled mechanism, and intermediates were apparently suppressed. However, YAG formation was divided into two stages in the S1.75 and S2.5 systems. Two stages were defined by the heating duration prior to and after 20 s. The interface-controlled mechanism was dominant in the initial stage, and then the diffusion-controlled mechanism was dominant in the second stage, in which YAG formed sluggishly and substantial amounts of YAM and YAP persisted. However, both stages followed the conversion sequence of YAM to YAP and then to YAG. Accordingly, two YAG formation routes derived from reacted Y2O3 of different sizes are proposed. Finally, a pure YAG phase could be obtained by calcining the S0.5 system at 1200 degrees C for 60 s. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.