Sintering behaviour of piezoceramic powders prepared by conventional, ceramic and mechanical activation process

Conventional and mechanical activation techniques were used to prepare a soft PZT type piezoceramic material. The resulting powders exhibit micro and nanostructures, respectively as indicated by X-ray and electron microscopy. Average crystallite sizes of 1 /spl mu/m and 50 nm respectively were estimated for the powders. The sintered behavior of pressed samples from the two types of powders was investigated within the 800-1300/spl deg/C temperature range and the densities, structural morphology and dielectric and piezoelectric properties were investigated. Optimum sintering temperature was about 100/spl deg/C lower for samples made from mechanical activated powder compared to the conventional ones. Sintered samples from this powder exhibited also enhanced properties compared to those made from the conventionally prepared powder. It is concluded that the mechanical activation technique is a reliable and simple method to prepare high quality PZT type materials.