Abstract
The effects of SiO2 MnO2 and sintering atmospheres (O2, N2) on the piezoelectric properties and densification behaviors of Pb0.98Cd0.02Zr0.36Ti0.39Ni0.083Nb0.167O3 were investigated. The addition of SiO2 to the system enhanced the rate of densification but supressed the rate of grain growth. On the other hand the addition of MnO2 to the system did not nearly affect the rate of densification but increased slightly the rate of grain growth The densification of Pb0.98Cd0.02Zr0.36Ti0.39Ni0.083Nb0.167O3 containing of SiO2 or MnO2 was promoted with increasing the partial pressure of O2. The relative dielectric constant ($\varepsilon$r) and piezoelectric constant (d33) of Pb0.98Cd0.02Zr0.36Ti0.39Ni0.083Nb0.167O3 containing of SiO2 or MnO2 sintered under O2 atmosphere were higher than under N2 atmosphere. Whereas the mechanical quality factor (Qm) of specimens sintered under O2 atmosphere were lower than under N2 atmosphere. Thus the sintering atmosphere of O2 and N2 in Pb0.98Cd0.02Zr0.36Ti0.39Ni0.083Nb0.167O3 containing of SiO2 or MnO2 acted as donor and acceptor respectively. As the amount of SiO2 increased the relative dielectric constant ($\varepsilon$r) and piezoelectric constant (d33) of Pb0.98Cd0.02Zr0.36Ti0.39Ni0.083Nb0.167O3 but the mechanical quality factor (Qm) did not nearly change, In the case of the addition of MnO2 to the system the relative dielectric constant ($\varepsilon$r) and piezoelectric constant (d33) of Pb0.98Cd0.02Zr0.36Ti0.39Ni0.083Nb0.167O3 sintered under O2 atmosphere decreased rapidly with increasing the amount of MnO2 but they were unchanged with increasing the amount of MnO2 under N2 sintering atmosphere. Therefore the differences of the relative dielect-ric constant ($\varepsilon$r) and piezoelectric constant (d33) due to sintering atmosphere were diminished as the amount of MnO2 increased.
