50%ZrW2O8/Al composites were prepared by means of discharge plasma sintering. The effect of sintering temperatures on the microstructure, phase composition, density, thermal expansion coefficient and thermal conductivity of the composites was studied. The results show that the composites sintered at different temperatures contain γ-ZrW2O8. As the sintering temperature gradually increases from 475 ℃ to 575 ℃, the density and content ratio of γ-ZrW2O8 in the composites gradually increase. After a process of stress relief by the first thermal expansion test (from room temperature to 300°C), the content ratio of γ-ZrW2O8 in the composite material was significantly reduced. The second thermal expansion test revealed that as the sintering temperature increases, the thermal expansion coefficient first increases and then decreases, with the 525 °C sample being the highest (4.89×10-6 K-1). The sintering density of the composite significantly affects its performance. The ZrW2O8/Al composite sintered at 525 °C presents both the highest density (92.9%) and thermal conductivity (31.9 W/m·K). 525 ℃ is the optimal sintering temperature that takes into account the composition stability and sintering density of the composites.