Effect of the Substrate on the Constrained Sintering of BaLa_4Ti_4O_(15) Thick Films

摘要

This study focuses on constrained sintering of BaLa_4Ti_4O_(15) (BLT) thick films on Pt foils and BLT rigid substrates. The densification of BLT films is only retarded in comparison with their bulk counterpart, but, and in opposition to other constrained systems investigated until now, grain growth is favored in constrained BLT films. An additional degree of constraint is provided by using a rigid BLT substrate instead of a compliant platinum foil, which induces even larger coarsening. These observations point to the possible effect of mechanical stress developing during constrained sintering on the microstructure development.