Systems for and methods for improving mechanical properties of ceramic material are provided. The system comprises a heat source for heating the ceramic material to a temperature greater than a brittle-to-ductile transition temperature of the ceramic material; a probe for mounting the ceramic material and configured to extend the ceramic material into the heat source; a plasma-confining medium and a sacrificial layer disposed between the ceramic material and the plasma-confining medium; and an energy pulse generator such as a laser pulse generator. The sacrificial layer is utilized to form plasma between the ceramic material and the plasma-confining medium. The method comprises heating ceramic material to a temperature greater than a brittle-to-ductile transition temperature of the ceramic material and subjecting the ceramic material to energy pulses via a sacrificial layer and a plasma-confining medium whereby a plasma of the sacrificial coating forms between the ceramic material and a plasma-confining medium.