Abstract
Flexible aluminum titanate（AT）ceramics have been prepared by mimicking itacolumite（konnyakuishi）, a natural flexible sandstone. AT has a high thermal expansion anisotropy that induces grain boundary microcracking leading to flexibility. In this study, AT samples were sintered at 1600-1650℃ for 16 h, and then grains grew up to a needle-shape and a great many microcracks occurred in the ceramic body. The needle grains were elongated along［100］and interlocked each other. As a result, the grain boundary microcracks network and the specific texture with interlocking of needle grains helped to flexibility and other extraordinary mechanical properties.
