MECHANICAL AND ELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF PZT-ZRO2 COMPOSITES

Piezoelectric PZT ceramics with the addition of 1.3-13.2 vol% ZrO2 were prepared. It was found that the addition of up to 8 vol% ZrO2 leads to higher values of flexural strength as compared to pure PZT, whereas the electric properties of the composites decrease with ZrO2 addition. Both phenomena are explained on the basis of the effect of martensitic transformation of dispersed ZrO2 particles in PZT matrix. Subsequent thermal treatment of the composites leads to lower values of flexural strength and increased electric properties relative to the as fired samples.