Piezoelectric properties of 〈001〉 textured Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-PbTiO₃ ceramics

The piezoelectric properties of (1 - x) Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-xPbTiO₃ (x = 0.3-0.35), ceramics with a high degree of 〈001〉 fiber texture were investigated for possible actuator applications. Piezoelectric coefficients (d₃₃) in excess of 1200 pC/N associated with strain levels up to >0.3% were observed in samples prepared by a reactive templated grain growth process. No excess PbO was used in the starting composition. A high degree of fiber texture was achieved using 〈001〉 oriented BaTiO₃ template particles in a fine-grained precursor for the PMN-32PT matrix. High densities together with texture resulted in a significant increase in strain levels and d₃₃ values compared to their polycrystalline counterparts. Peak dielectric constants on the order of 22 000 with losses of ∼2% and well-saturated hysteresis loops with a P_r∼27 μC/cm² were recorded on the textured samples. These domain engineered, textured ceramics have tremendous potential for high-performance actuators.