Effect of Sintering Process on Characteristics of Multilayer Piezoelectric Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3–Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 Ceramic Transformers

Multilayer piezoelectric transformers are fabricated as 2:2:1-type transformers with dimensions 30.0 mm length × 6.0 mm width × 3.4 mm thickness. Much attention has been focused on the characteristics and applications of Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 –Pb(Zn 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 –Pb(Zr,Ti)O 3 (PMN–PZN–PZT)-based multilayer piezoelectric transformers (MPTs) formed at various calcining and sintering temperature. The characteristics of MPTs, including the step-up ratio, efficiency and temperature rise with input voltage and driving frequency, are systemically investigated. The results show that the piezoelectric transformers calcined at 800 °C and sintered at 1020 °C exhibit the favorable characteristics with a high step-up ratio, a favorable efficiency and a low temperature rise.