Micro-computer tomography—An aid in the investigation of structural changes in lead zirconate titanate ceramics after temperature-humidity bias testing

Abstract

Lead zirconate titanate ceramic actuators are extensively used in electronic and electro-mechanical devices. Under humid conditions with a d.c. bias leakage currents increase power consumption In some materials the increasing leakage current is accompanied by the evolution of features on the anode surface, but little is known of any changes to the internal structure of the material. This research applies an advanced imaging technique (micro-computer tomography) to non-destructively investigate these features. This allows the evolution of internal features over time to be studied. The findings reveal that the microstructure of the ceramic was significantly altered during environmental testing.