Rapid Thermal Processing of Pb(Mg0.7Zn0.3)1/3Nb2/3O3 Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors

Fast firing, with total sintering times of between 3 and 15 min, was utilized to process multilayer ceramic capacitors of dielectric composition Pb(Mg_0.7Zn_0.3)_1/3Nb_2/3O₃. This dielectric composition has been studied extensively because of its diffuse phase transition, which is intrinsic to relaxors, and also its high dielectric constant. The fast-firing procedure, which did not utilize any prevention for PbO volatilization, has been shown to be a feasible method for the processing of these components. Sintering times in the range of 12 to 15 min at 1100°C resulted in components with weak field dielectric constants in excess of 12 000 and grain sizes in the range of 1 μm or less. The development of a pyrochlore phase at the component surfaces was less influential on the dielectric performance of the components because of the internal nature of the electrodes.