Characterization of PZT powder prenared by spray drying

The processing and characterization of a spray dried Pb(Zr0.52, Ti0.48 )O3 powder, in comparison with the conventional solid state reaction of the oxides is investigated. The spray dried powder is fully reacted to the perovskitic phase at 550 °C, while the mixed oxides are converted at temperature not lower than 700 °C. The high reactivity reflects also in the densification temperature that is reduced at least 100 °C. Due the hollow spheres structure of the spray dried powder, the cold consolidation behaviour is poor, resulting in green density not higher than 52 % of the theoretical density.