Ferroelectric ceramics based on lead zirconate titanate doped with neodymium were sintered using a modified microwave oven. In this process the energy is transferred directly to the material through the interaction between molecules of the material with the electromagnetic field. The microwave sintering process has an advantage to reduce the time and save energy. This type of process involves energy conversion, opposing to heat transfer. Ceramic parts were produced by thermal treatments at 1100 ºC and 1200 ºC up to 30 min. The formed crystalline phases were investigated by X-ray diffraction. Ceramic parts with densities above 95% of the theoretical density were produced in 10 min by heating at 1100 ºC, with heating rate of 400 ºC/min. Values of dielectric constant and loss factor of ceramics with density above 90%T.D. were determined.
microwave sintering; PZT; dielectric properties
