Accelerate ageing of PZT-type ceramics

Accelerate ageing of lead zirconate–titanate ferroceramics (PZT) by fast neutron irradiation is investigated. The ferroelectric behavior of Pb_1−wM_w(Zr,Ti)O₃, where w < 0.5 wt%, M = Li, Nb, Cr, Bi, Mn, Sb, La for Zr/Ti ratio = 51.5/48.5, prepared by solid state reaction, is strongly affected by fast neutron irradiation at Φ_i = (10¹³ ÷ 10¹⁸) n/cm² integrated fluxes. Structural investigations (XRD and SEM) reveal modifications of the microstructure, porosity and elementary cell parameters. High irradiation levels induce tetragonal-cubic at the same time with a ferro–paraelectric transition. The micrographs show the evolution of 90° and 180° walls as well as herringbone structure typical for tetragonal distortions with irradiation level. A relation between macroscopic characteristics (piezoelectric and dielectric) and microscopic properties (crystallographic parameters, porous structure and grain morphology) as function of irradiation doses can be established using a model based on microstructural parameters. These results offer opportunities to understand the fundamentals of radiation effects upon piezoelectric ceramics.