Most of the work on nacre-like alumina so far has focused on its processing and characterization, and relatively little on improving its properties. Yet, numerical modelling has shown that the mechanical properties could be further improved by increasing the strength of its constituents , and particularly the strength of the secondary phase, which is the weakest point of the structure . Moreover, some authors have succeeded using a secondary phase composed of aluminium borate instead of the silica-based phase used previously, improving the strength and the toughness of the nacre-like alumina, while maintaining the refractory properties of the material .