Templated grain growth (TGG) of PMN-PT textured components using SrTiO3 templates

Tapes of PMN-PT containing 5 to 10 volume % of SrTiO₃ seeds were cast and subjected to heat treatments of 1250°C in either air or oxygen atmospheres for 10 hours in order to texture the samples and enhance the (h00) peaks of PMN-PT. Lead-based additives such as lead oxide (PbO) and lead carbonate (PbCO₃) were introduced to create a liquid phase during heat treatment of the samples. The effects of sintering atmosphere, sintering time, and addition of lead-based additives were studied to determine which factors resulted in the highest degree of texturing. SEM studies revealed that the grown PMN-PT regions from the SrTiO₃ seeds were approximately 40-60 μm in length after proper heat treatment. XRD studies showed an enhancement in the (100) and [200] crystallographic orientations of PMN-PT. Calculated Lotgering factor (f) values indicated that the samples fabricated with 1 wt.% PbO at 1250°C for 10 hours in an oxygen atmosphere were textured up to ∼50%.