Colloidal processing, tape casting and sintering of PLZT for development of piezoceramic/polymer interlayered composites

Piezoceramic/polymer composites possess many advantages as compared to single-phase piezoceramics. One typical form of the composites is the interlayered structure, where the main requirement is to obtain thin, flat and dense ceramic sheets. Tape casting is a reliable process for producing such high-quality sheets. The colloidal processing of tape casting slurries is a critical step to achieve uniform ceramic bodies. Lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate (PLZT) was selected for making piezoceramic sheets due to its superior piezoelectric properties.; The quality of green tapes depends mainly on the solvents and organic additives of tape casting slurries. The effects of xylenes/ethanol solvent mixtures on non-aqueous slurries were first investigated. Well-dispersed colloidal suspensions were obtained in xylenes-rich solvents with a minimum amount of menhaden fish oil as a dispersant. Adsorption of dispersant and PLZT solids content of unfired tapes are strongly affected by the solvent(s) utilized. Furthermore, when selecting solvent mixtures, one needs to consider other additives, such as binder that can affect the viscosity of slurries.; Aqueous tape casting was performed using a polyelectrolyte dispersant, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) binders and various plasticizers. Zeta potential, conductivity and viscosity of PLZT suspensions containing dispersant were characterized. The effects of plasticizers and binders on properties of unfired tapes were also investigated. The tapes made from low molecular weight plasticizers showed higher plasticity. Glycerol was shown to be the most effective plasticizer for PVA. Strong hydrogen bonding in high hydrolysis PVA led to high strength and high bulk density of green tapes, but also caused deformation of the tapes after drying.; There are many challenges for sintering PLZT tapes due to volatilization of PbO component at high temperatures and fragility of thin tapes. By using the proper setter powders and the sandwich method, flat and crack-free PLZT tapes can be sintered with low PbO loss. It was found that both sintering time and PbO loss affected the fracture mode and electrical properties of PLZT materials. "Buffer sheets" containing low solids loading of setter powders were also developed for mass production of PLZT tapes.