Electrostriction and thermal expansion in plzt ceramics in connection with their phase transition

Abstract

Measurements of the dielectric, linear thermal expansion and electrostrictive properties on PLZT (12/50/50), (12/40/60) and (16/35/65) ceramics have been performed. The experimental results show that these compositions with diffuse phase transitions present electric field induced transitions with large thermal hysteresis at temperatures below those of the maximum dielectric constant. The results are discussed on the grounds of the quasi-paraelectric model (QPM), assuming for the samples an intermediate state between the paraelectric and the ferroelectric phases.