2.2. Materials Characterization

The density of the specimens was measured by Archimedes’s method using distilled water as the immersing medium according to ASTM C373-88. XRD measurements were taken using the PANalytical Empyrean (Malvern Panalytical, Malvern, UK) diffractometer with copper radiation (λ_Cu = 1.5406 Å). SEM (Nova NanoSEM 200 FEI, FEI, Tokyo, Japan) with EDS analysis was used for microstructure observation. The Young’s modulus of the materials was determined by the ultrasonic wave transition method using an ultrasonic flaw detector (Panametrics Epoch III, Olympus, Waltham, MA, USA). The hardness was determined by the Vickers indentation method using a Future FV-700 hardness tester, applying a load of 4.905 N. Fracture toughness was measured using the single-edge notched beam method (SENB), and the flexural strength was measured using a three-point bending test. The distance between supports in each measurement was 20 mm.