The aluminium concentration in beta'-sialon grains of the 74Si3N4 (alpha)-6Al2O3-20Nd2O3 (Wt %) specimen has been determined. As the alpha-beta' transformation proceeded, the average aluminium concentration in beta'-sialon grains decreased. For individual beta' grains, the aluminium concentration at the centre was higher than that at the edge. The observed variation of aluminium concentration has been explained in terms of the compositional change of the liquid matrix during sintering.