90-DEGREES DOMAIN REVERSAL IN PB(ZRXTI1-X)O3 CERAMICS

A simple and direct method has been proposed, which may be used for qu antitatively distinguishing the mechanisms of domain reorientation pro cesses in polycrystalline materials. Using this method, the 90-degrees domain reorientation in the Pb(ZrxTi1-x)O3 ceramic under an electric field was examined through the X-ray diffraction analysis. It was foun d that polarization switching in the PZT ceramic with a composition ne ar the morphotropic phase boundary, is predominantly controlled by the two successive 90-degrees domain processes rather than only the 180-d egrees domain reversal process. Experimental results also indicate tha t the coercive field of ferroelectric ceramics is related to the coope rative deformation associated with each grain. This cooperative deform ation arises from the 90-degrees domain-reversal process.