Effect of Manganese Ion Diffusion on the Microstructural Evolution of Lead Lanthanum Zirconate Titanate Ceramic

Microstructural evolution of lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) ceramics caused by diffusion of the Mn ion was observed. Specimens with layered structures were fabricated by copressing a PLZT powder (9/65/35) doped with Mn and same PLZT powder without the dopant. When the copressed specimen was sintered at 1200°C in air, the Mn ion diffused out of the doped region. The region originally containing the Mn ions was totally free of pores while all other regions remained porous. The formation of lattice vacancies, as a result of Mn diffusion, was attributed to the enhanced material transport and the resultant rapid densification.