Al2O3 nanoparticles reinforced Ag-CuO-Al2O3 composite filler was successfully employed to reactive air braze YSZ ceramic. The thermal expansion coefficient of Ag-CuO-Al2O3 composite filler can be tailored. Sufficient low leak rate (3.2 ± 0.9 × 10− 10 Pa m3 s− 1) guaranteed the strict sealing requirements. YSZ joints possessed a better ability to resist deformation with a maximum shear strength of 60 MPa.