Preprint for paper: "Abnormal grain growth and functional properties of BaTiO3 prepared by rapid sintering methods"

The demand for faster sintering methods is increasing due to the need for energy-efficient processing of advanced ceramics. BaTiO3, a key lead-free electroceramic, presents a challenge due to its microstructure being prone to abnormal grain growth. This study compares sintering of BaTiO3 using conventional pressure-assisted and pressureless spark plasma sintering, and rapid pressureless sintering. All methods produced tetragonal BaTiO3 samples with a relative density above 99 %. Abnormal grain growth occurred over temperature intervals narrower than 50 °C in the rapid sintering techniques, compared to 100 °C in conventional sintering. The onset temperature difference was attributed to different energy‑transfer mechanisms and the presence of applied pressure. A trade-off was observed between dielectric and piezoelectric performance in relation to microstructural evolution. These results demonstrate the ability of fast pressureless sintering techniques to densify BaTiO3 in minutes, while providing tunable properties and significant time and energy savings without restrictions on shape.