Bending Strength Evaluation of PZT Piezoelectric Ceramics by Modified Small Punch Method

Modified small punch (MSP) method was used to evaluate the strength of PZT (lead zirconate titanate) piezoelectric ceramics prepared by conventional mixed oxide method. The X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope were also used to analyze PZT piezoelectric ceramics. The results show that the strength of PZT piezoelectric ceramics could be accurately determined by MSP method, and there existed a good corresponding relationship among MSP strength, three-point bending strength and the microstructure. Using such correspondence relationship the bending strength could be estimated from the MSP strength.