Enhancing mechanical properties of Er2O3–Al2O3–SiO2 glass–ceramics for advanced substrate application

The limited physical support offered by the substrate material significantly impedes the advancement of electronic components toward higher integration. In this study, the Er₂O₃–Al₂O₃–SiO₂ (EAS) glass–ceramics (GCs) with exceptional mechanical properties were synthesized through a conventional solid-phase method. The mechanical properties of EAS GCs were enhanced as the Er₂O₃ content increased to 51 wt.%, resulting in an ultrahigh flexural strength of 358.8 MPa, a Vickers hardness of 9.7 GPa, a fracture toughness of 2.87 MPa•m^1/2, and an elastic modulus of 158.9 GPa. These findings revealed that high crystallinity, fine grain size, and dense microstructure can effectively impede crack propagation and mitigate stress concentration, thereby endowing the material with substantial fracture energy and superior mechanical properties. The enhanced mechanical properties of EAS GCs make them a promising candidate for substrate applications.