The mechanical tests were all carried out in bending using rectangular non-chamfered beams of dimensions W (thickness), B (width) and L (length) cut from the sintered pellets. All tests were performed with an electromechanical testing machine (Instron 8562, High Wycombe UK) in four-points bending with a support span of 12 mm and a loading span of 3 mm. The specimens were loaded in the direction perpendicular to the orientation of the platelets with a constant displacement rate. The deflection of the beam was measured using a linear variable differential transform (LVDT) sensor. For each sample and type of test, different tests were performed (between 2 and 8), and their number is given together with the results FIGURE 4.