Lead-free (Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3 (BNT)-based incipient piezoelectrics are highly promising for high strain actuators, but the high electric fields (4 ~ 6 kV/mm) required for activation limit practical device integration. In the current literature, large strains are frequently attributed to local structural variations like microscopic core-shell architectures. This work systematically investigates an alternative pathway by introducing A-site Strontium (Sr) excess non-stoichiometry into 0.74(Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3‒0.26SrTiO3 (BNST26) ceramics. Microstructural and X-ray diffraction analyses reveal highly dense, uniform matrices completely devoid of micro-scale core-shell boundaries or macroscopic symmetry distortions, revealing that Sr non-stoichiometry diverges from typical Bi-excess mechanisms. Interestingly, despite negligible variations in overall macro-scale strain behavior across the composition series, a peak normalized strain (Smax/Emax) of approximately 804 pm/V is achieved at a low driving field of 2 kV/mm for the 1 mol% Sr-excess specimen (x = 0.010). These results indicate that while Sr non-stoichiometry weakly influences nanoscale stability, it can be inferred that subtle modifications of local defect configurations optimize switching energy barriers, enabling high-strain, low-drive-field performance in lead-free relaxors.
Lead-free bismuth sodium titanate (BNT)-based ceramics have attracted strong attention as environmentally benign dielectric materials for high-efficiency electrostatic energy-storage capacitors. A key challenge is that pristine BNT typically exhibits large hysteresis, high remnant polarization, and limited dielectric reliability, which restrict recoverable energy storage and efficiency under practical electric fields. Here, we present a focused mini-review of recent studies to clarify how composition design, phase boundary tuning, defect chemistry, and microstructural control collectively enable slim or pinched polarization-electric field (P-E) behavior and improved energy-storage functionality in BNT-related bulk ceramics. The reviewed outcomes consistently show that stabilizing relaxor states governed by polar nanoregions (PNRs), often via solid-solution engineering and secondary relaxor/antiferroelectric-like incorporation, suppresses irreversible switching and reduces hysteresis loss, while densification and grain-size control enhance electrical homogeneity and breakdown strength. In addition, defect-mediated tuning of oxygen vacancy-related complexes is highlighted as an independent lever to control relaxor ergodicity and polarization reversibility, providing a complementary route to slim-loop optimization. These insights are expected to guide integrated design strategies that couple phase/relaxor-state engineering with defect and microstructure optimization, accelerating the development of reliable, temperature-robust, lead-free dielectric capacitors based on BNT-related ceramics.
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Progress and outlook of dielectric energy storage characteristics of Lead–free (K,Na)NbO3 based bulk ceramics/composite films for capacitors Twinkle, Varun Kamboj, Chetna, Arun Kumar Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Sanjeev Kumar Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science.2026; 44: 101297. CrossRef
Structural Stability and Electromechanical Response of Lead-Free (Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3‒SrTiO3 Ceramics Under A-Site Strontium Non-Stoichiometry Yubin Kang, Trang An Duong, Gwang-Hwi Jeong, Chang Won Ahn, Yong-Jai Kwon, Hyoung-Su Han Journal of Electrical and Electronic Materials.2026; 39(5): 549. CrossRef
Bismuth layer-structured ferroelectrics with high Curie temperatures have recently attracted significant attention as promising candidates for high-temperature piezoelectric applications. However, the conventional solid-state reaction method entails high-temperature processing that induces bismuth volatilization, thereby degrading device reliability. In this study, we employed a co-precipitation method enabling atomic-level mixing to significantly lower the synthesis temperature of Nb/Tadoped Bi4Ti3O12 ceramics compared to the solid-state reaction method. Experimental results demonstrated that the coprecipitation method yielded a pure single phase at 600℃ without intermediate phases. Furthermore, the synthesized nanopowders, with an average size of 100 nm, lowered the onset temperature of sintering shrinkage to 650℃, approximately 200℃ lower than that of the solid-state counterpart. The low-temperature synthesis process proposed in this work is expected to contribute to the performance enhancement of high-temperature piezoelectric devices by effectively suppressing bismuth volatilization and ensuring compositional stability.
The growing demand for thinner, lighter, and more energy-efficient electronic systems has driven the development of acoustic technologies toward compact and flexible sound generation platforms. Despite significant progress, conventional electromagnetic speakers remain limited by bulky structures, energy losses, and poor compatibility with modern ultrathin devices. In this review, recent advancements in piezoelectric acoustic systems are presented, demonstrating a new generation of speakers capable of producing high-fidelity sound from ultra-slim, lightweight, and mechanically compliant designs. Through refined structural configurations and efficient electromechanical coupling, these piezoelectric exciters achieve strong acoustic output, fast response, and wide frequency operation while drastically reducing component thickness. These exciters also show their suitability for seamless integration into flexible displays, wearable devices, and automotive panels, offering enhanced spatial audio practicality and multifunctional operation, including demonstrative output and sensing. This advancement marks a step toward the convergence of acoustic, haptic, and interactive technologies, for the realization of sustainable and immersive humanmachine interfaces in future electronic and automotive systems.
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Flexible piezoelectric cross-bar array sensors for upper-limb kinesthetic sensing via muscle dynamics Junki Lee, Jihun Choi, Hyunseung Kim, Min Gon Son, Dong Yeol Hyeon, Jung Hwan Park, Andris Šutka, Chang Kyu Jeong Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
This review addresses the development trends of dielectric ceramics, the key material for Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors (MLCCs), which are essential components in high-performance electronic devices. Traditional MLCCs have employed BaTiO3 (BT)-based dielectrics to achieve high dielectric constant and low resistance. By minimizing oxygen vacancies and suppressing grain growth in BT materials, the temperature and voltage stability of MLCCs have been improved, leading to the development of MLCCs with diverse properties. However, the maximum dielectric constant of approximately 3000 in BT materials poses a limitation in overcoming the trade-off between rated voltage and capacitance density. Therefore, ultra-high permittivity dielectric materials have gained attention to meet the requirements of ultra-high-performance MLCCs, and ongoing research focuses on enhancing the temperature and frequency stability of these materials. This review analyzes the characteristics and limitations of conventional BT materials and explores recent research trends and future potential in developing new MLCCs based on ultra-high dielectric constant materials.
The expansion of lithium-ion battery usage beyond portable electronic devices to electric vehicles and energy storage systems is driven by their high energy density and favorable cycle characteristics. Enhancing the stability and performance of these batteries involves exploring solid electrolytes as alternatives to liquid ones. While sulfide-based solid electrolytes have received significant attention for commercialization, research on amorphous-phase glass solid electrolytes in oxide-based systems remains limited. Here, we investigate the glass transition temperatures and sintering behaviors by changing the molecular ratio of Li2O/B2O3 in borate glass comprising Li2O-B2O3-Al2O3 system. The glass transition temperature is decreasing as increasing the amount of Li2O. When we sintered at 450℃, just above the glass transition temperature, the samples did not consolidate well, while the proper sintered samples could be obtained under the higher temperature. We successfully obtained the borate glass ceramics phases by melt-quenching method, and the sintering characteristics are investigated. Future studies could explore optimizing ion conductivity through refining processing conditions, adjusting the glass former-to-modifier ratio, and incorporating additional Li salt to enhance the ionic conductivity.
This study investigated crystal structures, microstructures, and electric-field-induced strain (EFIS) properties of Bibased lead-free ferroelectric/relaxor composites. Bi1/2(Na0.82K0.18)1/2TiO3 (BNKT) as a ferroelectric material and 0.78Bi1/2(Na0.78K0.22)1/2TiO3-0.02LaFeO3 (BNKT2LF) as a relaxor material were synthesized using a conventional solid-state reaction method, and the resulting BNKT2LF powders were subjected to high-energy ball milling (HEBM) after calcination. As a result, HEBM proved a larger average grain size of sintered samples compared to conventional ball milling (CBM). In addition, the increased sintering time led to grain growth. Furthermore, HEBM treatment and sintering time demonstrated a significant effect on EFIS of BNKT/BNKT2LF composites. At 6 kV/mm, 0.35% of the maximum strain (Smax) was observed in the HEBM sample sintered for 12 h. The unipolar strain curves of CBM samples were almost linear, indicating almost no phase transitions, while HEBM samples displayed phase transitions at 5~6 kV/mm for all sintering time levels, showing the highest Smax/Emax value of 700 pm/V. These results indicated that HEBM treatment with a long sintering time might significantly enhance the electromechanical strain properties of BNT-based ceramics.
Multilayered actuators using Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3-PbTiO3 (PMN-PIN-PT) crystals have demonstrated excellent properties, but are costly and lack mechanical strength. Textured PMN-PIN-PT ceramics exhibit robust mechanical strength and comparable properties to their single crystals form. However, the development of multilayered actuators using textured PMN-PIN-PT ceramics has not been achieved until now. This study presents the development of a multilayered actuator using textured 0.37PMN-0.29PIN-0.34PT ceramics with an Ag0.9/Pd0.1 inner electrode, co-fired at 950℃. A random 0.37PMN- 0.29PIN-0.34PT ceramics multilayered actuator was also developed for comparison. The multilayered actuator consisted of 9 ceramic layers (36 μm thickness) with an overall actuator thickness of 0.401 mm. The textured and random 0.37PMN-0.29PIN- 0.34PT ceramics-based multilayered actuators achieved displacements of 0.61 μm (0.15% strain) and 0.23 μm (0.057% strain) at a low applied peak voltage of 100 V. These results suggest that the developed multilayered actuator using high-performance textured 0.37PMN-0.29PIN-0.34PT ceramics has the potential to replace expensive single crystal-based actuators costeffectively.
La0.7-xCexSr0.3MnO3 specimens were fabricated by a solid state reaction method and structural and electrical properties with variation of Ce4+ contents were measured. All specimens exhibited a polycrystalline rhombohedral crystal structure, and the (110) peaks were shifted to low angle side with increasing the amount of Ce4+ contents. As Ce4+ ions with different ion radii and charges are substituted with La3+ ions, electrical properties are thought to be affected by changes in the double exchange interaction between Mn3+-Mn4+ ions due to distortion of the unit lattice, a decrease in oxygen vacancy concentration, and an increase in lattice defects. Resistivity gradually decrease as the amount of Ce4+ added increased, and negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) properties were shown in all specimens. In the La0.5Ce0.2Sr0.3MnO3 specimens, electrical resistivity, TCR and B-value were 31.8 Ω-cm, 0.55%/℃ and 605 K, respectively.
Piezoelectric actuators, which utilize piezoelectric crystals or ceramics, are commonly used in precision positioning applications, offering high-speed response and precise control. However, the use of low-performance ceramics and expensive single crystals is limiting their versatile use in the actuator market, necessitating the development of both high-performance and cost-effective piezoelectric materials capable of delivering higher forces and displacements. The use of textured Pb (lead)-based piezoelectric ceramics formed by so-called templated grain growth method has been identified as a promising strategy to address the performance and cost issue. This review article provides insights into recent advances in texturing Pb-based piezoelectric ceramics for improved performance in actuation applications. We discussed the relevant issues in detail focusing on current challenges and emerging trends in the textured piezoelectric ceramics for their reliability and performance in actuator applications. We discussed in detail focusing on current challenges and emerging trends of textured piezoelectric ceramics for their reliability and performance in actuator applications. In conclusion, the article provides an outlook on the future direction of textured piezoelectric ceramics in actuator applications, highlighting the potential for further success in this field.
Recently, piezoelectric devices, such as ultrasonic surgery, ultrasonic atomizer, and ultrasonic speaker, are analyzed and designed by finite element simulation methods. However, the discrepancy between the design and the experiment results of the device typically occurs due to the inaccuracy of the piezoelectric material properties. To improve the simulation accuracy, the material properties of the PZT ceramics were better refined using parameter estimation method. The material parameters are elastic stiffness cEij and piezoelectric constant eij of PZT ceramics. The impedance curve characteristics for the LTE mode of PZT ceramics were calculated. The mismatch between the simulation and the experimental data were compared and minimized by a least square method. Finally, the simulated impedance data were compared with the experimental data for the various vibration modes of PZT ceramics and the optimized material properties of PZT ceramics were verified. To further verify the accuracy, this method was also applied to piezoelectric PMN-PT single crystals.
This study investigated the low temperature sintering with various templates of Bi-based lead-free piezoelectric ceramics. The effects of using CuO-coated Na0.5Bi4.5Ti4O15 templates on the sintering behavior as well as the dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties of Bi1/2(Na0.78K0.22)1/2TiO3 (BNKT) ceramics have been examined. In comparison with the specimens sintered with the Na0.5Bi4.5Ti4O15 templates without CuO coating, those sintered with the CuO-coated Na0.5Bi4.5Ti4O15 templates showed larger template sizes as well as a larger electric field induced strain (Smax/Emax) of 422 pm/V after sintering at temperatures as low as 975℃. These results are promising for low-cost multilayer ceramic actuator applications.
This study investigated the microstructure and piezoelectric properties of lead-free 0.74(Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3-0.26SrTiO3 (BNST26) piezoelectric ceramics sintered using a microwave furnace. For comparison, specimens were also prepared using a conventional furnace sintering (CFS). Average grain sizes of 2.4 μm and 3.2 μm were obtained in the sample sintered at 1,100℃ for 5 min using microwave sintering (MWS) and at 1,175℃ for 2 h using CFS, respectively. To quantify the changes in the microstructures and electrical properties according to the sintering conditions, the polarization hysteresis, bipolar and unipolar strain curves, and temperature dependence of permittivity were evaluated. As a result, it was determined that the Pmax (maximum polarization), Pr (remanent polarization) and Smax (maximum strain) values tend to increase with the average grain size. Based on these results, it is concluded that the MWS method can produce lead-free ceramics with superior performance in a relatively short time compared to the conventional CFS method.
In this study, we investigated the optimum calcination temperature of lead-free 0.74(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3-0.26SrTiO3 (BNST) piezoelectric ceramics by analyzing the crystal structure, dielectric properties, and electric field-induced strain behavior. BNST ceramics prepared by conventional solid-state reaction methods at various calcination temperatures according to the industrial standard. All samples of BNST ceramics were subsequently sintered at 1,175℃ for 2 h. Crystal structure classification of the ceramics showed a single perovskite phase, with no second phase detectable for the samples calcined at 750℃ or higher. BNST samples calcined at 850℃ exhibited the most optimal values for itsand the common physical parameters of density = 5.518 g/㎤, ε = 1,871.837, tanδ = 0.047, and d33* = 874 pm/V.
In this study, in order to develop composition ceramics for refrigeration device application at a temperature of less than 90°C, a Ba(Ti1-xZrx)O3 composition was fabricated using a conventional solid-state method. Electrocaloric properties of these ceramics were investigated using the characteristics of P-E hysteresis loops in a wide temperature range from room temperature to 150°C. The Curie temperature of Ba(Ti1-xZrx)O3 ceramics decreased with the increase of x. The maximum value of □T = 0.07°C in an ambient temperature of 85°C under 30 kV/cm appeared when x = 0.125. It was concluded that the composition (x = 0.125) ceramics can be used for refrigeration device applications.
In this study, in order to develop composition ceramics for refrigeration device application, Ba(Ti0.9Zr0.1)O3 composition was fabricated using conventional solid-state method. Electrocaloric effect of this ceramic was investigated using the characteristics of P-E hysteresis loops at wide temperature range from room temperature to 150℃. Curie temperature of Ba(Ti0.9Zr0.1)O3 ceramics showed 80℃. The maximum value of ?T = 0.12℃ in ambient temperature of 115℃ under 30 kV/cm was appeared. It is concluded that Ba(Ti0.9Zr0.1)O3 ceramics can be applied as refrigeration device application.
With trend of the miniaturization and the high-functionalizing of mobile communication system, low-loss microwave dielectric materials are widely used for high frequency communication components. These dielectric materials should be co-sintered with highly electric-conducting metal such as silver or copper for high-frequency and thick film process application. Sintering temperature of Ca[(Li1/3Nb2/3)1-xTix]O3-δ, which has excellent dielectric properties such as εr above 40, quality factor (Q·f0) above 16,000 GHz, and TCF (temperature coefficient of resonant frequency) of -20~-10 ppm/℃, is reported as high as 1,175℃, so it could not be co-sintered with silver or copper. Therefore in this study, low-temperature melting glasses of Zn-B-O and Zn-B-Si-O systems were added to Ca[(Li1/3Nb2/3)1-xTix]O3-δ to lower its sintering temperature under 900℃ without losing excellency of dielectric properties. With 15 weight % of Zn-B-Si-O glass and sintered at 875℃, specimen showed density of 4.11 g/cm3,ε r of 40.1, Q·f0 of 4,869 GHz, and TCF of -5.9 ppm/℃. With 15 weight % of Zn-B-O glass and sintered at 87 5℃, specimen showed density of 4.14 g/cm3, εr of 40.4, Q·f0 of 7,059 GHz, and TCF of -0.92 ppm/℃.
To investigate excess Na+ effect, Bi0.5(Na0.78+xK0.22)0.5TiO3 (0≤x≤0.05) (BNKT) ceramics were prepared by using a conventional solid-state reaction method. The structure and ferroelectric properties of BNKT ceramics were characterized by XRD (X-ray diffraction) and polarization dependence by external electric field. Also, the temperature dependence of dielectric constant and loss were studied. From these results, it was found that appropriate excess Na+ into BNKT ceramics compensate the volatility and induce dense ceramics. The enhanced piezoelectric coefficient (158 pC/N) and depolarization temperature (202℃) were obtained for the x=0.01 composition.
Ultrasound imaging by using piezoelectric materials, such as lead zirconium titanate (PZT) has been oneof the most preferred modes of imaging in the medical field due to its simple, low cost and non-ionizing radiation in comparison to other imaging techniques. Recently, the market demand for portable ultrasound is becoming larger with applications in developing countries, disaster area, military, and emergency purposes. However, most of ultrasound probes used is bulky and high power consumable, so unsuitable for such applications. In this study, the 3 layered ceramic specimen consisted of 128 pitches of 420 μm in width and 450 μm in thickness were prepared by using the Ti-rich PZT compositions co-fired at 1,050℃. Their electrical and ultrasound pulse-echo properties were investigated and compared to the single layer specimen. The 3 layered ultrasound probe showed 1.584 V of Vp-p, which is 3.2 times higher than single layered one, implying that it would allow effectively such a portable ultrasound probe system. The result were discussed in terms of higher capacitance, lower impedance and higher dielectric coefficient of the 3 layered ultrasound probe.
In this study, in order to develop composition ceramics for Acoustic Emission (abbreviated as AE) sensor application, the PZT system ceramics was fabricated by conventional solid state reaction method. When x=0.48, the density, electromechanical coupling factor(kp), piezoelectric coefficient d33 and piezoelectric voltage constant g33 of the maximum values of 7.857 g/cm3, 0.51, 190[pC/N], 52[10-3mV/N] were obtained, respectively, suitable for AE sensor.
We investigated the effect of Bi1/2(Na0.82K0.18)1/2TiO3 (BNKT) modification on the ferroelectric and electric-field-induced strain (EFIS) properties of lead-free 0.97Bi1/2(Na0.82K0.18)1/2TiO3-0.03LaFeO3 (BNKTLF) ceramics as a function of BNKT content (x= 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, and 1). BNKT-modified BNKTLF powders were synthesized using a conventional solid-state reaction method. As the BNKT content x increased from 0 to 1 the normalized electric-field-induced strain (S_{max}/E_{max}) was observed to increase at relatively low fields, i.e., below the poling field. Moreover, BNKTLF-30BNKT showed about 460 pm/V as low as at 3 kV/mm, which is a considerably high value among the lead-free systems reported so far. Consequently, it was confirmed that ceramic-ceramic composite, a mixture of an ergodic relaxor matrix and embedded ferroelectric seeds, is a salient way to make lead-free piezoelectrics practical with enhanced EFIS at low field as well as less hysterical.
In this study, in order to develop relaxor ferroelectric ceramics for refrigeration device application with large electrocaloric effect, PLZT(8/65/35) composition was fabricated using conventional solid-state method. The Curi temperature of this composition PLZT ceramics was 230℃, and the P-E hysteresis loops of the PLZT ceramics as a fuction of temperature became slim by degrees with higher temperatures. The maximum value of .T of 0.243°C in ambient temperature of 215°C with 30 kV/cm was appeared. It is considered that PLZT ceramics possess the possibility of refrigeration device application.
In this study, in order to develop the composition ceramics with the excellent electrocaloric properties, 8/65/35 PLZT ceramics were fabricated by the conventional solid-state method with the addition of Bi2O3, CuO, Li2CO3 and the variation of sintering temperature from 930℃ to 990℃. The XRD pattern of all specimens indicated general perovskite structure and the rhombohedral phase were observed. Curie temperature (Tc) of all specimens was observed in the vicinity of about 190℃. Density, coercive field and remnant polarization of the specimen sintered at 950℃ was 7.55 g/cm3, 8.895 kV/cm, 11.22 μC/㎠, respectively. EC effect of PLZT ceramics was measured by indirect method and the temperature change ΔT due to the electrocaloric effect was calculated by Maxwell’s relations. ΔT of ceramic sintered at 950℃ was 0.21℃ under application of 40 kV/cm at 190℃.
In this paper, we fabricated ceramic body and sapphire wafer in order to develop a hydraulic pressure sensor with high sensitivity and high temperature stability. The sapphire wafer was adopted with a membrane of capacitance ceramic pressure sensor. The capacitance value of the sensor for the finite element analysis(FEM) showed a linear pressure characteristics. Membrane was processed with a diameter of 32.4 ㎜ and a thickness of 1 ㎜ by using alumina powders. Ceramic body was processed with a diameter 32.4 ㎜ and a thickness 5 ㎜. The capacitance pressure sensor was made with high heat treatment of the ceramic body and the sapphire wafer. Initially capacitance of the pressure sensor was 50 pF and a capacitance of 110 pF was measured from 5 bar pressure. Output voltage of 5 V was appeared at 5 bar pressure.
In this study, in order to develop the composition ceramics with the excellent electrocaloric properties, (Pb0.88La0. 08)(Zr0.65Ti0.35)O3 ceramics were fabricated by the conventional solid-state method. Electrocaloric effects of (Pb0.88La0.08)(Zr 0.65Ti0.35)O3 ferroelectric ceramics were investigated and discussed using the characteristics of P-E hysteresis loops at wide temperature range from room temperature to 220 . The temperature change ΔT due to the electrocaloric effec t was calculated by Maxwell’s relations, and reached the maximum of 0.19 at 190 under applied electric field of 30 kV/cm.
Composite ceramics of alumina-TZP(3Y) have good mechanical and electrical properties. So, They have been used as high strength refractory materials and thick film substrates, etc. In this study, Composite ceramics of alumina-TZP(3Y) were fabricated by uniaxial pressing and sintering at 1,400, 1,500, and 1,600℃, and their microstructures and mechanical properties were investigated. As the TZP(3Y) content in composite ceramics increases from 20 wt.% to 80 wt.%, the fracture toughness increases monotonically, which seems to be related to the higher relative density and/or toughening mechanism by means of stabilized tetragonal zirconia phase at room temperature. In contrast to the fracture toughness, Vickers hardness of the composite ceramics shows maximum value (1,938 Hv) at a 40 wt.% of TZP(3Y). The result of Vickers hardness is likely to be due to more dense sintered microstructure of composite ceramics than pure alumina and reinforcement of composite ceramics with TZP(3Y), considering that Vickers hardness of pure Al2O3 is greater than that of TZP(3Y). It is also shown that the ZrO2 particles are 1°Cated between Al2O3 grains and suppress grain growth each other.
(Na,K)NbO3-based piezoelectric ceramics were synthesized by a solid phase sintering method with various milling solvents. The solvents were varied with acetone, ethanol, and pure water to investigate the effect on the microstructure and electrical properties. NKN ceramics showed the maximum values of the relative density (94%), the mechanical quality factor (Qm: 78) and the electro-mechanical coupling factor (kp: 0.25) at the ethanol solvent. It might mean that a solid phase sintering of the NKN piezoelectrics with a suitable solvent could improve the relative density and the piezoelectric properties.
Glass ceramic has a high mechanical strength and low sintering temperature. So, it can beused as a thick film substrate or a high strength insulator. A series of glass ceramic samples based onMgO-Al2O3-SiO2-ZrO2 (MASZ) were prepared by melting at 1,600℃, roll-quenching and heat treatment atvarious temperatures from 900℃ to 1,400℃. Dependent on the heat treatment temperature used, glassceramics with different crystal phases were obtained. Their nucleation behavior, microstructure andmechanical properties were investigated with differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD),scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Vicker`s hardness testing machine. With increasing the heattreatment temperature of MASZ samples, their hardness and toughness initially increase and then reachthe maximum points at 1,300℃, and begin to decrease at above this temperature, which is likely to bedue to the softening of glass ceramics. As the content of ZrO2 in MAS glass ceramics increases from 7.0wt.% to 13 wt.%, Vicker`s hardness and fracture toughness increase from 853 Kg/mm2 to 878 Kg/mm2and 1.6 MPa??m1/2 to 2.4 MPa??m1/2 respectively, which seems to be related with the nucleation of elongatedphases like fiber.
A comparative study has been attempted for microwave and conventional sintering of lead-freeBi0.5Na0.5TiO3(BNT)-based multilayer ceramic actuators(MLAs). It was found that microwave sintering(MWS) could be successfully applied to the co-firing of piezoceramic/AgPd MLAs with a 10 timesshorter firing cycle as well as 100℃ lower firing temperature (850℃) for sufficient densification thanconventional furnace sintering (950℃). Furthermore, MWS-derived specimens showed better electricfield-induced strain than that of CFS-derived specimens by effectively suppressing interdiffusions betweenceramic and electrode layers.
(Na0.525K0.4425Li0.0375)(Nb0.9975Sb0.065Ta0.0375)O3 + 0.3 wt%CoO ceramics were fabricated as a functionof CuO addition by traditional solid state sintering process in order to develop excellent lead-freepiezoelectric ceramics composition. The addition of CuO in the LNKNTS composition ceramics caneffectively enhance the densification of the ceramics, resulting in the oxygen vacancies as hardeningeffect. The excellent piezoelectric properties of electromechanical coupling factor(kP) of 0.378, piezoelectricconstant(d33) of 152 pC/N were obtained from the 1.0 mol% CuO doped LNKNTS ceramics sintered at1,020℃ for 3 h.
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