A sol-gel precursor as a powder binder for PZT ceramic fabrication

A lead zirconate titanate (PZT) precursor sol was prepared by a diol sol-ge l route and used as a binder for assisting the uniaxial die pressing of PZT powders. The powders, of composition Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O-3, were prepared by a two step mixed oxide route using lead carbonate, zirconia and titania st arting powders. The densification characteristics of the powders, which wer e not milled after the final calcination step, were compared to samples pre pared using PVA as a conventional binder. Improved sintering behaviour was observed for the novel sol-gel binder system. For example, using a sol conc entration, equivalent to 7 wt% of PZT derived from the binder, pellets of 9 5% theoretical density were obtained after firing at 1150 degrees C for 4 h , whereas for the same firing conditions, samples blended with PVA resulted in a density of only 78% theoretical.