Reaction-sintering of lead-free piezoceramic compositions: (0.95 − x)Na0.5K0.5NbO3–0.05LiTaO3– xLiSbO3.

Incorporation of LiSbO₃ into the lead-free piezoceramic composition 0.95Na_0.5K_0.5NbO₃–0.05LiTaO₃ produced a change from an orthorhombic to tetragonal crystal system in samples produced by reaction-sintering. The inferred limit of solid solution along the compositional join, (0.95 − x)Na_0.5K_0.5NbO₃–0.05LiTaO₃– xLiSbO₃, occurred at x ~ 0.06. Differential scanning calorimetry indicated broad peaks at temperatures associated with ferroelectric–paraelectric transitions. The transition temperatures decreased with increasing values of x, up to x = 0.06. Microstructures showed secondary grain growth; a slight decrease in grain-size with increasing LiSbO₃ modification was identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]