Effect of processing on surface acoustic wave properties of a modified lead titanate ceramic

Piezoceramic substrates are of interest for many surface acoustic wave (SAW) applications, such as chemical and biological sensors and TV filters. For these applications the reproducibility of the SAW properties is important. Here, the effect of a variety of ceramic processing conditions on the microstructure and SAW properties of the ceramics is examined to determine the sensitivity of the properties to processing. The study includes, the influence of milling time, sintering conditions and a post sintering HIP treatment. Microstructure, bulk and SAW properties are characterised and processing-microstructure-property relations examined.