Method for producing piezoelectric ceramics

Abstract

A method for producing piezoelectric ceramics of a Pb(Sn.sub..alpha. Sb.sub.1-.alpha.)O.sub.3 -PbTiO.sub.3 system is disclosed which comprises providing a piezoelectric ceramic composition expressed by the general formula: xPb(Sn.sub..alpha. Sb.sub.1-.alpha.)O.sub.3 -PbTiO.sub.3 wherein subscripts .alpha., x and y are mole fractions of the respective components and have the following values, x+y=1.00, 1/4.ltoreq..alpha..ltoreq.3/4, 0.01.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.40, and 0.60.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.99, forming powder of the composition into forming bodies, and firing the forming bodies in an oxygen atmosphere containing not less than 80 vol % of oxygen. The firing in the oxygen atmosphere is effected at a temperature not less than 1000.degree. C. A part of lead in the composition may be replaced with not more than 20 atomic percent of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Ba, Ca, Sr and Cd. The composition may contain a small amount of Mn, Mg and/or Cr. Fine dense ceramics with low porosity, small average size and fine grain size are produced which can be applied to various electronic parts.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.