Effects of sintering temperature on the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of Sr additive Sm-modified PbTiO3 ceramics

(Pb0.88-xSrxSm0.08)(Ti0.98Mn0.02)O-3 ceramics; x = 0.05-0.25 were prepared by conventional mixed-oxide technique, with sintering temperature at 1125-1250 degreesC. Microstructural and compositional analyses of these doped ceramics have been carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The effects of dopants and the sintering temperature on the piezoelectric and dielectric properties of Sm-modified PbTiO3 Ceramics have been investigated. We successfully showed that all Sr additive samples have maximum density and thickness electromechanical coupling coefficient, k(t) (>0.55) at 1200 degreesC sintering temperature, and still keep small planar electromechanical coupling coefficient, k(p) In other words, the optimum sintering condition was found. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.