PMN ceramics produced by a simplified columbite route

Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 ceramics produced by a simplified columbite route were investigated. The second calcination and pulverization steps in the columbite route were omitted. Without calcining, a mixture of MgNb2O6 and PbO was pressed into pellets and sintered directly to form Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 ceramics. PMN ceramics of 100% perovskite phase were produced by this simplified columbite route at 1100–1250 °C sintering temperatures, 1–5 h soak times, and 2–30 °C/min heating rates. Kmax>17 000 at 1 kHz was obtained.