METHOD FOR PRODUCING A LEAD-FREE PIEZOCERAMIC MATERIAL OF THE POTASSIUM-SODIUM-NIOBATE SYSTEM BY MEANS OF NIOBIUM HYDROXIDE, AND USE OF A COMPONENT COMPRISING SAID MATERIAL

摘要

The invention relates to a method for producing a lead-free piezoceramic material, comprising at least one perovskite phase of the potassium-sodium-niobate system (PSN). The perovskite phase comprising the composition (K0,5Nb0,5)O3 is produced by means of the following method steps: a) preparation of a mixture of starting materials of the perovskite phase, and b) heat treatment of the mixture. The method is characterised in that a powder comprising niobium hydroxide (Nb(OH)3) is used as one of the starting materials. The heat treatment consists of calcination and/or sintering. The use of the highly reactive niobium hydroxide as a starting material (precursor) simplifies the formation of a PSN ceramic free from phase shift, during the calcination. The method enables a piezoceramic component in the form of an ultrasound converter or a piezoceramic bending transducer to be produced. The accessible piezoceramic component is especially a multilayer piezoelectric actuator which is used to control a fuel valve of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle.