Ferroelectric zirconate ceramics

A new class of ferroelectric ceramics was revealed in a study of mixtures of lead zirconate and up to 40 mol percent barium zirconate. These compositions were prepared from pure zirconium oxide, lead monoxide and barium carbonate mixed in the desired stoichiometric proportions and calcined in covered platinum crucibles at 1050°C. The calcined product was pulverized and compressed in the form of discs which were sintered at temperatures ranging from 1300°C to 1400°C. This was done in air with lead, oxide vapor in equilibrium with molten lead oxide.