Study of Lead Magnesium Niobate–Lead Titanate Ceramics for Piezo-Actuator Applications

Structural, dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of lead magnesium niobate–lead titanate, PMN–PT (66:34), prepared at different sintering temperatures (1150–1250°C) are discussed for actuator applications. System sintered at 1200 and 1250°C showed better perovskite phase stabilization and higher values of dielectric constant ( ε r ). Remnant polarization ( P r ) was found to be higher (45 µC/cm 2 ) for the system sintered at 1250°C. The piezoelectric coefficients, d 33 , d 31 , d h and strain induced in the system by a large electric field were found to be sintering temperature dependent. Hysteresis free strain behavior of the system sintered at 1200°C showed the suitability of this material for actuator applications.