Influence of uniaxial pressure on the properties of PLZT ceramics

It is shown that in thermally depoled PLZT 8/65/35 relaxor ceramics similar effects are observed during applying uniaxial mechanical stress as during applying an electric field. At room temperature remanent reduction of light transmittance, optical anisotropy, and mechanical deformation remains after switching off the stress. During heating the ceramic remembers the original state, i.e. all these effects disappear at about 35°C. From results of DTA investigations it is concluded that a phase transition is induced by uniaxial mechanical stress.