Method for manufacturing piezoelectric ceramic, piezoelectric ceramic, and piezoelectric element

A method for manufacturing piezoelectric ceramic, comprising the steps of:

• preparing a raw material so as to contain A, B, Ba, Zr, R, M and Ti as major constituents in a composition ratio represented by the following formula:
• (1-s−t)ABO3-sBaZrO3-t(R.M)TiO3
• (where A is at least one element selected from alkali metals, B is at least one of transition metal elements and includes Nb, R is at least one of rare earth elements (including Y), M is at least one element selected from alkali metals, 0.05<s≦0.15, 0<t≦0.03, s+t>0.06);
• molding the raw material to obtain a molded body;
• sintering the molded body in a reducing atmosphere;
• and
• subjecting a sintered body obtained at the sintering step to a heat treatment in an oxidative atmosphere.