Preparation of Lead Zirconate Titanate Ceramic Fibers by Sol-Gel Method

PZT fibers with the nominal composition of Pb(Zr_0.53Ti_0.47)O_x have been successfully drawn by the sol-gel techniques. Ti(O·i–C₃H₇)₄, Zr(O·n–C₄H₉)₄, and Pb(O₂C₈H₁₅)₂ were used as the starting materials. The rheological conditions for continuous gel fiber drawing were determined. Thermal and microstructural evolutions of gel fibers were investigated by X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Perovskite crystalline fibers without breakage were obtained by a two-stage heat treatment on the gel fibers up to 600°C in air. Bending strength of the fibers decreases with the increase of the fiber diameter and is ranged from 10 to 30 MPa.