A Viewpoint on Hot Spots in Microwave Sintering and Flash Sintering

Microwave sintering and flash sintering are field-assisted ceramic processing techniques in which heating is totally or partly obtained inside the material itself by a coupling between the ceramic material and the electromagnetic or electrical field. They frequently give rise to the observation of localized temperature excess known as hot spots that can lead to dramatic effects on the sintered parts. This article explores and discusses the common origin of hot spots in both techniques, their development, and the possible ways for limiting their effects.