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The sintering behaviour of 17Ni/(10NiO-NiFe2O4) cermet not only is influenced by the characteristics and impurities of the raw materials but also is dependent on extra pressure during the fabrication process. Our work was concerned with the effect of sintering pressure on the relative density, mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of 17Ni/(10NiO-NiFe2O4) cermet. The nickel-ferrite based cermet was prepared by hot press sintering technology at 1100°C for 120 min, and sintered at pressures ranging from 12 to 24 MPa. The microstructure, phase compositions and mechanical properties were studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and three-point bending strength tests respectively. It was found that the relative density and bending strength of NiFe2O4 based cermet have a great influence upon the sintering pressure, and that the highest bending strength of 125·89 MPa could be obtained under a sintering pressure of 16 MPa. Meanwhile, it was shown that thermal shock resistance decreased as the sintering pressure increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]