Abstract: The invention disclosed is for a process of preparing sintered ceramic structures, which includes heating a green ceramic body formed of a sinterable ceramic moiety composited with a heat decomposable combustible organic binder to decompose at least a substantial portion of the organic binder, the decomposition being effected at a temperature below the sintering temperature of the ceramic moiety, the heating being effected while the body is within a zone sufficiently low in free oxygen concentration to substantially prevent flame propagation at the surface of the ceramic moiety; and thereafter heating to sinter the ceramic moiety to form a sintered ceramic structure.