La1.95Ca0.05Zr2O7-delta (LCZ) and Ni-LCZ cermet have been prepared by combustion synthesis and conventional solid state mixing methods respectively. Both the materials are sintered in air and controlled atmosphere (5% H-2 in Ar). The density obtained for the material sintered at 1400 degrees C in controlled atmosphere is found to be more than 99.5%. This sintering temperature (1400 degrees C) is considered to be much lower compared to the conventional sintering temperature. The corresponding total conductivity for such Ni-LCZ cermet materials is similar to 400 S/cm measured at 750 degrees C having 40 vol% of Ni and 60 vol% LCZ. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.