Flash sintering of lead zirconate titanate ceramics under an alternating current electrical field

Abstract Sintering behaviors of lead zirconate titanate ceramics under an alternating current (AC) electrical field with a frequency of 60 Hz is investigated. The AC field is more effective to induce flash sintering compared to the direct current (DC) field. The AC field strength shows a negative correlation with the flash sintering temperature and grain size of sample. The large current limit causes the severe current and temperature localization, leading to the non-uniform sintering. The flash sintered samples have high d 33 values. The mechanisms of flash sintering are discussed in terms of Joule heating and formation of defects.