Microstructure characterization and properties of porous piezoceramics

In this paper, a comprehensive study of microstructure/properties interrelations for porous piezoceramics based on PZT composition was performed. Experimental samples of porous piezoceramics were fabricated using a modified method of burning-out a pore former. Porosity dependencies of elastic, dielectric, piezoelectric and electromechanical coefficients of the porous ceramics in the relative porosity range 0-50% were obtained and analyzed. As a result of microstructure analysis, it was found that at any connectivity type (3–0, 3–3) and porosity up to 50% the real structures of porous piezoceramics were close to the matrix medium structure with continuous piezoceramic skeleton. It was also revealed that the microstructural features of porous piezoceramics define the character of the dependences of the dielectric, piezoelectric and electromechanical properties of porous piezoelectric ceramics on porosity. In conclusion, microstructure/properties interrelations, as well as new applications of porous piezoceramics were discussed.