Abstract Accelerate ageing of lead zirconate–titanate ferroceramics (PZT) by fast neutron irradiation is investigated. The ferroelectric behavior of Pb 1 −w M w (Zr,Ti)O 3 , where w Φ i = (10 13 ÷ 10 18 ) n/cm 2 integrated fluxes. Structural investigations (XRD and SEM) reveal modifications of the microstructure, porosity and elementary cell parameters. High irradiation levels induce tetragonal-cubic at the same time with a ferro–paraelectric transition. The micrographs show the evolution of 90° and 180° walls as well as herringbone structure typical for tetragonal distortions with irradiation level. A relation between macroscopic characteristics (piezoelectric and dielectric) and microscopic properties (crystallographic parameters, porous structure and grain morphology) as function of irradiation doses can be established using a model based on microstructural parameters. These results offer opportunities to understand the fundamentals of radiation effects upon piezoelectric ceramics.
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