Fused quartz ceramic was prepared using high purity fused quartz powder as starting material, separately introducing 1%, 2% and 3% (in mass, the same hereinafter) nano-ZnO or nano-Y₂O₃ as additive, molding at 50 MPa, firing in reduction atmosphere at 1 300, 1 350 and 1 400 ℃ for 1 h, respectively. Apparent porosity and cold modulus of rupture were tested and fracture morphology was analyzed by SEM. The results show that adding nano-ZnO or nano-Y₂O₃ obviously improves sintering of fused quartz; adding nano-ZnO enhances modulus of rupture and decreases apparent porosity; the optimum addition of nano-Y₂O₃ as sintering aid of fused quartz is 2%.