The optimum conditions for preparing the lead-free piezoelectric ceramic of Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 using the Taguchi method

Using the Taguchi method, this study analyzes the optimum conditions for preparing the disk of bismuth sodium titanate (Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3). BNT, which is prepared using the mixed oxide method. The controllable factors used in this study consisted of the following: (1) the duration of milling; (2) the temperature of calcining; (3) the rotation speed of mill; and (4) the temperature of sintering. According to the optimum conditions, the confirmation experiment was carried out, and the relative density of the BNT disk, which was prepared without adding the additive, was up to 89.05%. The percentage contribution of each controllable factor was also determined. Most interestingly, the temperature of sintering is the most influential factor to press the BNT powder together tightly, and its value of percentage contribution is up to 94.94%. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.