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MoAlB is a ternary boride of MAB phases with strong resistance to oxidation and ablation at service temperature, thanks to preferential Al diffusion to form a protective oxide scale. However, excessive Al were often necessary in sintering of MoAlB ceramics, suggesting that a liquid-phase densification might occur thus leading to complex microstructures. By quantitative SEM analysis, ~17 mol.% Al 2 O 3 phase was found common in MoAlB ceramics. The liquid-phase of Al-Mo-B-O facilitates the direct conversion from MoB to MoAlB before in situ formation of Al 2 O 3. An intermediate Mo 3 Al 8 phase competes with layered conversion, which limits the insertion rate of Al into B-B layers of MoB to form abundant Al-deficient stacking-faults. Intermetallic Mo 3 Al 8 phase precipitates further in the intergranular regions parallel to the crystallization of Al 2 O 3 , leaving the reprecipitation of remaining Al. Both layered-conversion and intergranular oxides can improve ablation behavior for MoAlB ceramics, as well as fracture toughness and compressive strength. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]