Evaluation of mechanical properties of gelcast lead zirconate titanate disks sintered at different temperatures

The mechanical properties of gelcast and sintered PZT disks were measured using a microindentation technique and compared with those of sintered cold isostatically pressed and die-pressed PZT disks. Microhardness increased with increasing density, whereas fracture toughness followed the reverse trend due to the effect of porosity. The hardness and modulus of elasticity values of the sintered gelcast samples were comparable with those of the sintered cold isostatically pressed and die-pressed samples.