Dielectric relaxation in calcium titanate-containing ceramics prepared by plasma spraying

The relative permittivity and loss factor frequency dependence in a weak electric field of plasma sprayed perovskite and ilminite polycrystalline ceramic materials-pure synthetic calcium titanate, as well as magnesium titanate-calcium titanate mixture, were studied. It was observed that plasma-sprayed titanates exhibit a strong relaxation of permittivity and loss factor decrease when they are measured in an as-sprayed state. The frequency dependence of the earlier properties is influenced by chemical composition and spraying parameters, but the relaxation character in general is preserved in all cases. The volume resistivity of the samples in an as-sprayed as well as subsequently annealed state was studied also. Several aspects of the structural features of plasma deposits and their possible influence on dielectric properties are discussed. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Ltd and Techna S.r.l.