Electrostriction in PZT-family antiferroelectrics

Abstract The elastic strain associated with the field-induced transition from an antiferroelectric phase to a ferroelectric one has been measured at several temperatures in a PZT-family ceramic Pb0·99Nb0·02 [(Zr0·6Sn0·4)0·94Ti0·06]0·98 O3. Reproducible large strain change of about Δl/l∼ due to the forced transition may be promising for digital microdisplacement transducers. So-called “inverse hysteresis'’in the strain curve is observed in a temperature range between -70°C and 10°C, which is also useful as a shape memory device for mechanical clamping and similar applications.