The synthesis of single-phase lead metaniobate powders by a novel Thermal T
wo-Stage Process is described. Ceramic parts are produced from these powder
s by dry pressing and sintering. Following polarization, the piezoelectric
properties of the specimens are measured. The piezoelectric material data o
f the specimens from this novel processing route are comparable with the va
lues known from literature. (C) 2000 Kluwer Academic Publishers.