LEAF: Lead-free piezoelectric ceramics based on alkaline niobates

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 00.0441

Key words (English)

Piezoelectrics; lead-free; ultrasonic imaging; medical imaging; ceramics; biocompatibility;
Industrial Manufacture; Materials Technology

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: G5RD-2001-00431

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 1.3.8 Generic R&D activities

Short description (English)

See abstract

Partners and International Organizations (English)

Coordinator: Ferroperm Piezoceramics A/S (DK)

Abstract (English)

The market for piezoceramic components is dominated by lead-based PZT materials containing more than 60 wt% lead. Since lead is highly toxic, it has become a great concern how to eliminate the use of PZT by replacing it by non-harmful materials while maintaining comparable piezoelectric properties. This is the objective of the present proposal. Alkaline niobates are proposed as alternative piezoceramic materials. Niobate ceramics are known to be very difficult to densify fully. A combination of optimised compositions, innovative powder synthesis and a range of ceramic processing methods is proposed for obtaining lead-free materials suitable for industrial applications. 3 end-users in the project will test the new materials in industrial devices.

Expected results: a material comparable to PZT, and a high-temperature one with lower sensitivity.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 00.0441