Heterogeneous grain size distributions due to cathodic reduction of samples sintered by flash sintering (FS) are a recurring problem. Herein, we present an experimental setup for FS with refined control of the process parameters, especially the electric current density, to control the power peak that could reduce the grain size heterogeneity of sintered materials. The real-time control of the equipment enabled the development of a Multi-Step Flash Sintering (MSFS) process. This technique involves varying the maximum current density at the onset of the abrupt shrinkage of the sample during the flash phenomenon, smoothing the shrinkage and power density curves, avoiding power peak and allowing its control in real time. Tetragonal stabilised zirconia (3YSZ) was sintered in this equipment by both FS and MSFS. Preliminary results of this study were promising in terms of density control and improvement of grain size homogeneity.

由于通过阴极烧结（FS）烧结的样品的阴极还原而导致的异质晶粒尺寸分布是一个反复出现的问题。在此，我们提出了一种用于FS的实验装置，该装置具有对工艺参数（尤其是电流密度）的精细控制，以控制功率峰值，从而可以降低烧结材料的晶粒尺寸异质性。设备的实时控制可实现多步骤Flash烧结（MSFS）工艺的开发。该技术涉及在闪光现象期间样品突然收缩开始时改变最大电流密度，平滑收缩和功率密度曲线，避免功率峰值并允许对其进行实时控制。FS和MSFS在该设备中烧结了四方稳定的氧化锆（3YSZ）。