Tailoring of the Lead Metaniobate Ceramic Processing.

The processing of a PbNb₂O₆ (PN) ceramic was investigated and optimized. Through thermal gravimetric and X-ray diffraction analysis the optimal calcination condition and the starting firing temperature were estimated. The powders were submitted to thermal treatments to obtain PN ceramic powders with an orthorhombic ferroelectric phase. The effect of PbO excess addition to compensate the PbO losses, during the calcination and the firing, was also studied. The highest density value was found to be 96% of the theoretical density. The temperature dependence of the dielectric properties, for samples sintered at different temperatures, allowed the study of the sintering kinetic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]