EFFECT OF THE STRONTIUM BARIUM RATIO AND ATMOSPHERE ON THE SINTERING BEHAVIOR OF STRONTIUM BARIUM NIOBATE/

The sintering behavior of SrxBa1-xNb2O6 (SBN) (x = 0.5, 0.6, and 0.7) was studied. The densification rate increased and the evaluated activa tion energy of SBN decreased as the Sr:Ba molar ratio increased. Also, when SBN50 (SBN where x = 0.5) was sintered at <1300 degrees C, the d ensification rate decreased as the oxygen partial pressure increased, and, at 1300 degrees C, the oxygen partial pressure had insignificant influence on the densification. The relationship of sintering behavior and structure of SBN has been discussed, and the niobium ion was sugg ested as being the rate-limiting species when sintering SBN.