Transparent PZ-PT-PZN and PLZT Ceramics Prepared by Spark Plasma Sintering and Heat-Treatment

Abstract

Spark plasma sintering combined with heat-treatment was investigated to prepare transparent ceramics in a short sintering time. PbZrO₃-PbTiO₃-Pb(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃ ceramics with high transmittance of 13% at 633 nm was prepared by spark plasma sintering at 900^oC for 10 min and heat-treatment at 900^oC for 1h. Suitable addition of PbO or La₂O₃ was found to increase the transmittance of PZ-PT-PZN ceramics. Transmittance at 700 nm of the (Pb_1-xLa_x)(Zr_y,Ti_z)_1-x/4O₃ prepared by spark plasma sintering at 900^oC for 10 min and heat-treatment at 800^oC for 1h was 31%. The transmittance of PLZT ceramics increased with increasing sintering temperature up to 900^oC and thereafter decreased. The effects of the calcination temperature and the heat-treatment temperature upon the microstructure and transmittance of PLZT ceramic were also investigated.