Influence of Nb₂O₅ and MnO Dope on the Sintering Behavior of PZT Ceramics

Abstract

The mechanism of shrinkage during sintering was investigated on PZT ceramics. Nb₂O₅ and MnO was added to PZT calcined powder. The mechanism of shrinkage was determined from the shrinkage-time curves. The mechanism of shrinkage and grain growth changed depending on the Nb₂O₅/MnO ratio. The dominant mechanism was volume diffusion when the Nb₂O₅/MnO ratio was larger than 6. On the other hand, the volume diffusion was inhibited when the Nb₂O₅/MnO ratio was less than 4. The grain growth was inhibited in the former conditions, while it was promoted in the latter conditions.