Abstract: Methods of determining and controlling the deformability of ceramic materials, as a nonlimiting example, YSZ, particularly through the application of a flash sintering process, and to ceramic materials produced by such methods. Such a method includes providing a nanocrystalline powder of a ceramic material, making a compact of the powder, and subjecting the compact to flash sintering by applying an electric field and thermal energy to the compact.

Abstract: Methods of determining and controlling the deformability of ceramic materials, as a nonlimiting example, YSZ, particularly through the application of a flash sintering process, and to ceramic materials produced by such methods. Such a method includes providing a nanocrystalline powder of a ceramic material, making a compact of the powder, and subjecting the compact to flash sintering by applying an electric field and thermal energy to the compact.

Abstract: Methods of increasing the deformability of ceramic materials, as a nonlimiting example, titanium dioxide, particularly through the introduction of defects, and to ceramic materials produced by such methods. Such a method increases the deformability of a ceramic material by introducing high-density pre-existing defects and oxygen vacancies in the ceramic material during a flash sintering process and then forming nano scale stacking faults and nanotwins in the ceramic material. Such a ceramic material contains high-density pre-existing defects and oxygen vacancies and nano scale stacking faults and nanotwins, and may exhibit deformability in a temperature range of room temperature to 600° C.

Abstract: Methods of determining and controlling the deformability of ceramic materials, as a nonlimiting example, YSZ, particularly through the application of a flash sintering process, and to ceramic materials produced by such methods. Such a method includes providing a nanocrystalline powder of a ceramic material, making a compact of the powder, and subjecting the compact to flash sintering by applying an electric field and thermal energy to the compact.