Relationships between sintering conditions, microstructure and dielectric properties of lead iron niobate

Lead iron niobate, Pb(Fe1/2Nb1/2)O-3 (PFN) ceramics have been produced by s intering PFN powders synthesized from lead oxide (PbO) and iron niobate (Fe NbO4), with an effective method developed for minimising the level of PbO l oss during sintering. Attention has been focused on relationships between s intering conditions, phase formation, density, microstructural development and dielectric properties. The sintering temperature has been found to have a pronounced effect on the density, grain growth and dielectric properties of the sintered PFN ceramics, with maximum density and relative permittivi ty values obtained under sintering conditions of 1175 degrees C for 2 h. Th e origin of the strong dependence of values of epsilon(r) and tan delta on frequency is discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Limited. All rights reser ved.