Fabrication of (Zr0.8Sn0.2)TiO4 dielectric resonators in arbitrary shapes

• A method for fabrication of Zr0.8Sn0.2TiO4 resonators in different shapes is proposed.
• Dispersant, sintering profile and mould material were optimised for Zr0.8Sn0.2TiO4.
• єr=37, Qxf=32,000, τf=6 ppm/°C and relative density of 97% were achieved.
• Superior microwave dielectric properties were obtained for resonator applications.

Different shapes of (Zr0.8Sn0.2)TiO4 dielectric resonators were prepared through a slurry based route involving organic/inorganic carrier medium. In the present work, the ceramic powder is dispersed in a water based carrier with monomer and cross linker as binder system in order to get the stable highly solid loaded slurry. This slurry is casted in to an inexpensive polyethylene mould of desired shape to form net shaped dielectric resonators. The de-molded samples are subjected for further heat-treatments. (Zr0.8Sn0.2)TiO4 ceramics sintered at 1400 °C exhibited desirable microwave dielectric properties of єr=37, Qxf=32,000 and τf=+6 ppm/°C.