Lead zirconate titanate

Use

Lead zirconate titanate, Pb(Zr0.4Ti0.3)O3toPb(Zr0.9Ti0.1)O3,is also known as PZT ceramics.It is used mainly in the manufacture of piezoelectricceramic elements.The wide range of possible compositionsprovides a wide range of dielectric constantvalues, piezoelectric activity, and primary transitiontemperatures. These are normally greaterthan is possible with barium titanate. Smalladditions of niobium, strontium, barium, andantimony serve as modifiers.Two techniques for producing PZT powdersare used today. Calcining (CMO) is themore common method of powder production,and the calcine is then formed and fired in itsfinal shape.PZT is the most widely used polycrystallinepiezoelectric material. Its electrical output canmeasure pressure. It is used in hydrophones,which permit listening to sound transmittedthrough water.