Improvement in Time-Dependent Displacement Degradation of Piezoelectric Ceramics by Manganese/Indium Addition

High-durability lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramics were developed in the present study to prevent time-dependent deterioration of displacement, as well as failure under operation. Current leakage in PZT was decreased by adding elemental manganese, changing the zirconium content from 54.0 to 54.2 mol%, and decreasing the antimony content. Displacement was improved by adding both manganese and indium to the PZT. The present investigation resulted in the development of PZT compositions with high displacement and low time-dependent displacement degradation. These results were confirmed by analyzing stack actuators made from enhanced PZT compositions.