PROPERTIES OF PIEZOELECTRIC CERAMICS SINTERED IN REDUCING ATMOSPHERE

Antireduction piezoelectric ceramics were fabricated by adding excess 3 at % of divalent metal ion Sr or Ba to the A site and 0.3 approximately 1.0 wt% of MnCO3 and glass for lead perovskite material. Piezoelectric K(p) and d31, constants of specimens sintered under a reducing atmosphere of P0 = 10(-9) MPa were about 45% and about 200 x 10(-12) m/V, respectively, and bending strength was about 760 kg/cm2. Employing this material, we should be able to fabricate multilayer piezoelectric ceramic devices where Cu or Ni can be used as the internal electrode.