Homogenization mechanism of perovskite solid solutions

Mechanism of homogenization of perovskite solid solutions was studied. Compositional inhomogeneity (compositional fluctuation) of lead titanate zirconate (PZT) was found by a measurement of X-ray diffraction peaks. The compositional fluctuation was considered to be caused from a gap where neither mechanical mixing of raw materials nor diffusion during the sintering process is effective. A method to know the size of the compositional fluctuation was developed and the homogenization process during the sintering process was clarified using this method.