Mechanically Activated BaTiO3 Microstructure Fractal Nature

Abstract

Increasing demands on the quality of electronic ceramics requires a well-controlled correlation between particle morphology and processing conditions. Since mechanical activation is one of the methods for modification of physico-chemical properties of dispersed systems, in this study a correlation between the densification rate microstructure evolution and fractal nature of mechanically activated BaTiO3 has been analyzed. The high purity commercial BaTiO3 powder was mechanically activated in a planetary ball mill in a continual regime for 60 and 120 minutes. Sintering under non isothermal conditions was carried out up to 1380 °C. The shrinkage behaviour of mechanically activated samples, has been analyzed by a sensitive dilatometer. Densification rate as a function of relative density for different activation times has been calculated.Microstructure investigations of sintered samples were carried out, using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The presented results enable establishing processing parameters that are indisensable for obtaining materials with advanced properties.