Bulk and Thick Film Processing of Non-Lead Piezoelectric Material

Non lead piezoelectric materials with two compositions from the (BiNa)TiO
₃
-(BiK)TiO
₃
-BaTiO
₃
system and one composition from the (KNa)NbO
₃
-LiTaO
₃
system were synthesized using the mixed oxide technique. Piezoelectric and dielectric properties of bulk ceramics were measured and their sensitivity to moisture and poling conditions were compared to determine the optimum composition for thick film processing. The dielectric constants of bulk ceramics were 710~940 and d
₃₃
's were in the 130 -210 pC/N range. The composition of bulk ceramics that exhibited the best property durability was chosen for thick film screen printing. Processing parameters were optimized to achieve defect-free films. Dielectric loss and hysteresis in polarization were observed to be very sensitive to film quality and 9 mum thick films with compatible properties to bulk ceramics were achieved.