Domain Processes in Lead Titanate Zirconate and Barium Titanate Ceramics

Abstract

The amount of 90° reorientation during poling was determined from mechanical strains measured during the poling process. With tetragonal lead titanate zirconate 53% of the possible 90° reorientation occurred during poling, but this figure dropped to 44% upon removal of the poling field. With barium titanate the figures are only 17% and 12%, respectively. Comparison of the polarization of poled polycrystalline barium titanate with that for single crystals indicates that 180° reorientation is virtually perfect. Application of very high compressive stress parallel to the polar axis causes 90° switching of nearly all aligned domains, and, therefore, removes virtually all polarization. Curves of released charge as function of mechanical strain are nearly linear, but curves of released charge as function of stress are strongly nonlinear. Application of high compressive stress perpendicular to the polar axis also causes 90° domain reorientation and a reduction in the total polarization of the ceramic. This domain reorientation may be interpreted as a shift of the polar axes of some domains into a position more closely corresponding to the plane of cross expansion, and typically the total electric moment is reduced by less than 10%. High electric stress causes 180° as well as 90° domain reorientation. With prepoled specimens dc fields in the same direction as the poling field cause 90° switching, while reverse dc fields cause both 90° and 180° reorientation, with the latter predominating.