Enhancing the mechanical properties of ceramics by high‐temperature rolling: A first demonstration using alumina

Abstract We herein report a technique, namely, high‐temperature rolling that can roll ceramics at high temperature with controllable speed. A first demonstration using alumina reveals that, after rolling at 800, 900, and 1000°C, the bending strength (), Vickers’ hardness (), and fracture toughness () of alumina enhanced significantly. For instance, for the specimen rolled at 900°C, , , and increased by ∼20% (360–430 MPa), ∼10% (13.1–14.5 GPa), and ∼61% (3.1–5 MPa m 0.5 ), respectively. This technique is expected to develop into a universal solution to enhance the mechanical properties of ceramics.