Phase Transitions and Local Polarity above TC in a PbZr0.87Ti0.13O3 Single Crystal

Abstract

Solid solutions of PbZr1−xTixO3 (PZT) are one of the most widely used piezoelectric materials with perovskite structure. Despite the decades of research, the phase diagram of PZT reported in 1971 has not been resolved yet. Recently, it turned out that single crystals of good quality of these solid solutions can be grown. By means of top-seeded solution growth (TSSG) technique, we succeeded to grow a single PbZr0.87Ti0.13O3 crystal. Hence, a partial verification of the diagram could be performed through investigations of the optical, dielectric, pyroelectric and elastic properties of this crystal, in a wide temperature range. The obtained results confirmed that the PbZr0.87Ti0.13O3 crystal undergoes a sequence of phase transitions, such as those observed in ceramics of similar chemical composition. However, additional anomalies of investigated physical properties were observed and discussed. Moreover, the influence of electric field on optical properties has been investigated for the first time and has proven the existence of local polar character of the phase above TC in a limited temperature range.

Advances in Electrical Discharge Machining of Insulating Ceramics

“…These measures improve their conductive properties, enabling them to be subjected to electrical discharge machining and wear-resistance properties to operate in friction pairs (for example, for cutting tools). The existing techniques of electrical discharge machining insulating ceramics suggest two main methods (Figure 2): o By changing the properties of ceramics due to additives selected following the electrical and chemical properties of components [15,16]; o By changing the electrical and chemical properties in the interelectrode gap [17,18].…”