Zirconate Information Center

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Strontium Zirconate

Strontium Zirconate

A zirconate is a salt formed between zirconium, oxygen, and another element usually a metal. One of the most common and useful zirconates is lead zirconate titanate also called PZT. It is a ceramic perovskite material that shows a marked piezoelectric effect. PZT-based compounds are used to manufacture ultrasound transducers, ceramic capacitors, and STM/AFM actuators. Being piezoelectric, it develops a voltage across two of its faces when compressed which is useful for sensor applications. It can also physically change shape when an external electric field is applied making it very valuable in actuator applications. PZT, being pyroelectric, develops a voltage difference across two of its faces when it experiences a temperature change, making it useful as a heat detecting sensor. It is also ferroelectric, which means it has a spontaneous electric polarization which can be reversed in the presence of an electric field. These properties make PZT-based compounds one of the most prominent and useful electroceramics.

Commercially, PZT is rarely used in its pure form, rather it is doped with either acceptor dopants or donor dopants. In general, acceptor doping creates hard PZT while donor doping creates soft PZT, which generally differ in their piezoelectric constants. Soft PZT has a higher piezoelectric constant, but larger losses in the material due to internal friction. In hard PZT, domain wall motion is pinned by the impurities, decreasing losses in the material but at the expense of a reduced piezoelectric constant.
PZT is used to make ultrasound transducers and other sensors and actuators, as well as high-value ceramic capacitors and FRAM chips. PZT is also used in the manufacture of ceramic resonators for reference timing in electronic circuitry.

Structurally similar to lead scandium tantalate and barium strontium titanate, PZT can be used for manufacture of uncooled staring array infrared imaging sensors for thermographic cameras. Both thin film and bulk structures are used.

Purities include 99%, 99.9%, 99.99%, 99.999% and 99.9999% which are sometimes referred to as 2N, 3N, 4N, 5N and 6N.

Physical properties may include nanopowder, nano particle, submicron, - 325 mesh, rod, foil, and high surface area bromide with particle distribution and particle size controlled and certified. We produce larger - 40 mesh, - 100 mesh, -200 mesh range sizes and < 0.5 mm, 2 mm, 5 mm and other mm size shot, granules, lump, flake and pieces, too.

American Elements maintains industrial scale production for all its zirconate products.

American Elements will execute Non-Disclosure or Confidentiality Agreements to protect customer know-how.

Please select a Zirconate Material from the table:

Barium Zirconate
Bismuth Zirconate
Calcium Zirconate
Cesium Zirconate

Cobalt Zirconate
Lead(II) Zirconate
Lithium Zirconate

Magnesium Zirconate
Strontium Zirconate
Lead Zirconate Titanate