Process for reducing non-uniformities in the density of sintered materials

A process for improving the uniformity of density in a sintered material, the process comprising:

• (a) providing a mixture of
• (i) a first sinterable material containing a contaminant the presence of which results in non-uniform density in said first sinterable material during sintering of said first sinterable material;
• (ii) a second material having a higher affinity for said contaminant than does said first sinterable material, wherein the amount of the second material relative to the contaminant is from 95% of stoichiometric equivalent to 1000% stoichiometric excess;
• (b) heating said mixture at a first temperature below the sintering temperature of said first sinterable material and for a first time sufficient to allow said second material to at least partly mitigate the propensity of the presence of said contaminant to result in non-uniform density during said sintering of said first sinterable material.