Both an unreinforced $Al_2O_3$/Al matrix and a ${alpha}-Al_2O_3$ particulate reinforced composite have been produced by the oxidation of an Al surface doped with NaOH in the absence of any other dopant. Fabrication of the matrix was initiated by the formation of $NaAlO_2$, which provides a favorable surface structure for the matrix formation by breaking the protective $Al_2O_3$ layer on Al. During the matrix growth, the external surface of the growth front was covered with a very thin sodium-rich oxide. A cyclic formation process of the sodium-rich oxide on the growth surface was proposed for the sodium-induced directed metal oxidation process. This process involves dissolution of the sodium-rich oxide, motion of Na to the growth front, and re-formation of the oxide on the surface. Near-net-shape composites were fabricated by infiltrating an $Al_2O_3$/Al matrix into a ${alpha}-Al_2O_3$ particulate preform, without growth barrier materials. The infiltration distance increased almost linearly in the NaOH-doped preform.