Piezoelectric element manufacturing method

A method for producing a piezoelectric element comprising a piezoelectric composite, the piezoelectric composite having piezoelectric bodies made of a Pb-based piezoelectric material and resinous bodies alternately arranged, the method comprising:

• etching a plurality of aligned piezoelectric segments formed by dicing with an etchant, wherein
• a liquid containing 0.1 to 20 mass % of hexafluorosilicic acid is used as the etchant;
• wherein
• each piezoelectric segment of the plurality of piezoelectric segments has a taper extending in a direction from a first end toward a second end of the piezoelectric segment, the second end being opposite to the first end, and
• the etching comprises:
• a first etching in which the plurality of piezoelectric segments are etched by causing the etchant to flow relative to the piezoelectric segments in such a manner that the concentration of the etchant is constant between first ends and second ends of the piezoelectric segments;
• and
• a second etching in which the plurality of piezoelectric segments are etched under a condition where the concentration of the etchant is higher around the first ends than around the second ends of the piezoelectric segments.