A method of making a sintered ceramic body comprising the steps of disposing a ceramic powder (5) inside an inner volume of a spark plasma sintering tool (1), wherein the tool comprises: a die (2) comprising a sidewall comprising inner and outer walls, wherein the inner wall has a diameter defining the inner volume; upper and lower punches (4,4) operably coupled with the die, wherein each of the punches have an outer wall defining a diameter less than the diameter of the die inner wall, thereby creating a gap (3) between the punches and the inner wall when at least one of the punches are moved within the inner volume, and the gap is from 10 m to 70 m wide; creating vacuum conditions inside the inner volume; moving at least one of the punches to apply pressure to the ceramic powder while heating, and sintering; and lowering the temperature of the sintered body.

A method of making a sintered ceramic body comprising the steps of disposing a ceramic powder inside an inner volume of a spark plasma sintering tool, wherein the tool comprises: a die comprising a sidewall comprising inner and outer walls, wherein the inner wall has a diameter defining the inner volume; upper and lower punches operably coupled with the die, wherein each of the punches have an outer wall defining a diameter less than the diameter of the die inner wall, thereby creating a gap between the punches and the inner wall when at least one of the punches are moved within the inner volume, and the gap is from 10 m to 70 m wide; creating vacuum conditions inside the inner volume; moving at least one of the punches to apply pressure to the ceramic powder while heating, and sintering; and lowering the temperature of the sintered body.