Electric degradation in PZT piezoelectric ceramics under a DC bias

Abstract In order to accurately evaluate the service life and failure mechanism of the PZT piezoelectric ceramics, the electric degradation process of the PZT ceramics with and sans doping under a DC voltage of 380V, in a surrounding environment of 90 ^∘ C and 85% RH has been investigated using a self-made device. The experimental results show that the degradation rate of the pure PZT ceramic is lower than that of ceramics with doping in the same condition. Furthermore, the electrical properties of the ceramics tend to decrease during the electric degradation. The doping increases the defects of ceramics, resulting in that the silver ion transfer from the anode to the cathode under the continuous DC bias, which can further form a metal band, increasing the conductivity, but deteriorating the service life.