Microstructure and characteristics of BaTiO3 ceramic with 4PbO-B2O3 (sintering aid)

Abstract

Many lead-free materials, such as Bi-based compounds, BaTiO3 or alkaline niobate compound, have been intensively studied. The microstructure and characteristics of BaTiO3 ceramic are significantly influenced by addition of 4PbO-B2O3. Under low sintering temperatures, the grain growth of BaTiO3 ceramic is enhanced by capillary action, rearrangement and solutionreprecipitation of the liquid phase. At high sintering temperatures, exaggerated grain growth of BaTiO3 ceramic is restrained by the presence of a liquid phase. The glass frit also has significant effect on the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of BaTiO 3 ceramic. The measured density of BaTiO3 ceramic with suitable addition of 4PbO-B2O3 glass frit and sintering temperature can get 95.7-98.8% dense. The peak value of the KT33 was 2500 with addition of 0.2 mol% glass frit at the sintering of 1250°C for 4 h. The maximum value of the kp was 0.36 with addition of 0.2 mol% glass frit at the sintering of 1350°C for 4 h. With suitable amounts of glass frit and an optimized sintering temperature, the density is enhanced and the values of the dielectric and piezoelectric properties are improved. © 2008 The Ceramic Society of Japan. All rights reserved.