The effects of excess PbO addition and composition variation on the processing and properties of tape cast PLZT RAINBOW actuators

High-displacement RAINBOW actuators were fabricated from tape cast PLZT 7/65/35 and 9/65/35 ceramics which were hatched with 0 to 5% excess PbO by weight. Fired densities of the starting ceramics were maximized with 3% excess PbO. It was found that the electromechanical characteristics of the RAINBOWs were more dependent on grain size than density. Actuator displacements of the 9/65/35 composition were enhanced by static loading, while 7/65/35 exhibited decreased displacements with load.