Single phase MgAl 2 O 4 was made from a one-to-one molar ratio of MgO and Al 2 O 3 powders mixed using ball-milling. Mixtures of MgO and Al 2 O 3 were subsequently treated in planetary ball mill for 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes in air. The aim of this study was to examine phase composition, microstructure, and densification behavior of sintered specimens. After sintering in dilatometer at 1500 °C, the powder was converted to single phase MgAl 2 O 4. The results show that mechanical activation improved the densification behavior of MgAl 2 O 4 sintered specimens, and it reduced the onset temperature for sintering by approx. 100 o C. Based on dilatometer data, powders were subsequently densified at 1450 o C by hot pressing. Almost аll specimens exhibited full density, while sample activated for 30 minutes showed the fastest densification rate.