LAUSR

Lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) ceramics exhibit excellent dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties, and they can be used in many applications, including actuators. In this review, the processing and properties of PLZT-based ceramics will be the main focus of the first part. An introduction to PLZT ceramics is given and the methods to improve processing of PLZT-based ceramics are explained in terms of the addition of sintering aids, fabrication in the form of composites, and the application of dopants. The second part will be related to strain measurement to investigate converse piezoelectric properties (actuating effect). Strain measurement techniques by Michelson interferometry and case studies in PLZT-based ceramics (aging effect, temperature dependence and magnetic field effect) are included.