Fabrication of transparent lead lanthanum scandium niobate ceramics by two-stage atmosphere sintering

Transparent lead lanthanum scandium niobate (PLSN) ceramics were fabricated from fine powders using a two-stage atmospheric sintering technique. A method for preparing clear aqueous solutions with lead, lanthanum, scandium and peroxo-niobium complex ions has been developed by mixing a niobium precursor solution with the corresponding nitrates. The coprecipitation process of the solution produced chemically homogeneous powders. Biaxially pressed green pellets were sintered in an oxygen gas in an alumina setter containing an atmosphere powder at 1100 degreesC and were then reheated in air. Transparent ceramics with an average grain size of 0.54 mum was obtained. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.