Abstract
Reduced and internally biased oxide wafer (RAINBOW) actuators are fabricated by a controlled reduction of Pb(Zr,Ti)O3-based piezoelectric material. The reduction process results in a conductive layer composed of an interconnected metallic lead phase and refractory oxides (ZrTiO4, ZrO2, La2O3, etc.). The nature of the reduction is discovered to be the result of a complex volume change leading to a nanoscale interconnected metallic structure. The distribution of phases within the cermet vary within the thickness of the wafer. Within the piezoelectric ceramic phase, the reduction process modifies the grain-boundary structure to give two distinct types of fracture: transgranular and intergranular. The complexed microstructures of the RAINBOW actuator materials are discussed in relation to their dielectric and piezoelectric properties.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 2041-2048 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Journal of the American Ceramic Society |
Volume | 79 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 1996 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Ceramics and Composites
- Geology
- Geochemistry and Petrology
- Materials Chemistry