A dielectric ceramic composition and a multilayer ceramic capacitor containing the same are provided. The dielectric ceramic composition contains a base material powder represented by (1?x)BaTiO.sub.3?xPbTiO.sub.3 containing a first main ingredient represented by BaTiO.sub.3 and a second main ingredient represented by PbTiO.sub.3, wherein x satisfies 0.0025?x?0.4. The multilayer ceramic capacitor includes a ceramic body in which dielectric layers containing the dielectric ceramic composition are alternately stacked with first and second internal electrodes, and first and second external electrodes formed on both end portions of the ceramic body and respectively electrically connected to the first and second internal electrodes.

The invention relates to a ceramic material for capacitors. In order to achieve reduced self-heating on assembly of the material into multilayer capacitors with antiferroelectric properties and a high dielectric constant, a ceramic material of formula Pb.sub.(1-r)(Ba.sub.xSr.sub.yCa.sub.z).sub.r.sub.(1-1.5a-1.5b-0.5c)(X.sub.aY.sub.b)A.sub.c(Zr.sub.1-dTi.sub.d)O.sub.3 is proposed, where X and Y both represent a rare metal earth selected from the group consisting of La, Nd, Y, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and/or Yb; where A represents a monovalent ion; x+y+z=1; x and/or y and/or z>0; 0<r<0.3; 0<d<1; 0<a<0.2; 0<b<0.2; 0<c<0.2.

The invention relates to a ceramic material for capacitors. In order to achieve reduced self-heating on assembly of the material into multilayer capacitors with antiferroelectric properties and a high dielectric constant, a ceramic material of formula Pb.sub.(1-r)(Ba.sub.xSr.sub.yCa.sub.z).sub.r.sub.(1-1.5a-1.5b-0.5c)(X.sub.aY.sub.b)A.sub.c(Zr.sub.1-dTi.sub.d)O.sub.3 is proposed, where X and Y both represent a rare metal earth selected from the group consisting of La, Nd, Y, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and/or Yb; where A represents a monovalent ion; x+y+z=1; x and/or y and/or z>0; 0<r<0.3; 0<d<1; 0<a<0.2; 0<b<0.2; 0<c<0.2.

A nano-composite structure comprises of an amorphous matrix with embedded nano-crystallites. The nano-crystallites are precipitated from the amorphous matrix via heat treatment of a solution mixture of metal salts or metalorganic compounds to an appropriate temperature range and with a suitable duration, or heating of a mixture of non-crystalline compounds. The nano-crystallites are self-assembled in the amorphous matrix without forming agglomerates or distinguished grain boundaries. The nano-composite structure can be used for transparent display, transparent optical ceramics, protection armor, nuclear protection, pulsed power, high voltage electronics, high energy storage system and high power microwave systems.

Provided are methods and systems for forming piezoelectric coatings on power line cables using sol-gel materials. A cable may be fed through a container with a sol-gel material having a piezoelectric material to form an uncured layer on the surface of the cable. The layer is then cured using, for example, infrared, ultraviolet, and/or other types of radiation. The cable may be suspended in a coating system such that the uncured layer does not touch any components of the system until the layer is adequately cured. Piezoelectric characteristics of the cured layer may be tested in the system to provide a control feedback. The cured layer, which may be referred to as a piezoelectric coating, causes resistive heating at the outer surface of the cable during vibration of the cable due transmission of alternating currents and environmental factors.

Provided are methods and systems for forming piezoelectric coatings on power line cables using sol-gel materials. A cable may be fed through a container with a sol-gel material having a piezoelectric material to form an uncured layer on the surface of the cable. The layer is then cured using, for example, infrared, ultraviolet, and/or other types of radiation. The cable may be suspended in a coating system such that the uncured layer does not touch any components of the system until the layer is adequately cured. Piezoelectric characteristics of the cured layer may be tested in the system to provide a control feedback. The cured layer, which may be referred to as a piezoelectric coating, causes resistive heating at the outer surface of the cable during vibration of the cable due transmission of alternating currents and environmental factors.

To improve a piezoelectric property. One aspect of the present invention is ferroelectric ceramics including: a Pb(Zr.sub.1-ATi.sub.A)O.sub.3 film; and a Pb(Zr.sub.1-xTi.sub.x)O.sub.3 film formed on the Pb(Zr.sub.1-ATi.sub.A)O.sub.3 film; wherein the A and x satisfy the following Formulae 1 to 3:

0A0.1Formula 1

0.1<x<1Formula 2

A<xFormula 3.

To improve a piezoelectric property. One aspect of the present invention is ferroelectric ceramics including: a Pb(Zr.sub.1-ATi.sub.A)O.sub.3 film; and a Pb(Zr.sub.1-xTi.sub.x)O.sub.3 film formed on the Pb(Zr.sub.1-ATi.sub.A)O.sub.3 film; wherein the A and x satisfy the following Formulae 1 to 3:

0A0.1Formula 1

0.1<x<1Formula 2

A<xFormula 3.

A method includes the following steps: a) the production of a slip including more than 4% and less than 50% of ceramic particles and including: b) a first particulate fraction including of orientable particles having a median length L50 and representing more than 1% of the ceramic particles, and c) a second particulate fraction having a median length D50 at least ten times shorter than L50 and representing more than 1% of the ceramic particles, the first and second particulate fractions together representing more than 80% of all of the ceramic particles, in volume percentages based on the total quantity of ceramic particles; d) oriented freezing of the slip by moving a solidification front at a lower speed than the speed of encapsulation of the ceramic particles; e) elimination of the crystals of the solidified liquid phase of the block; and f) optionally sintering.

A method of manufacturing ceramic composite material comprises forming a combination of flowable metal oxide precursor (102), which is water-insoluble, and electroceramic powder (104) for covering surfaces of the electroceramic particles (500) with the metal oxide precursor (102), the electroceramic powder (104). A major fraction of the particles (500) has particle diameters within a range 50 m to 200 m, and a minor fraction of the particles has diameters smaller than the lower limit of said range, the major fraction having a variety of particle diameters. Then pressure 100 MPa to 500 MPa is applied to said combination, and said combination is exposed, under the pressure, to a heat treatment, which has a maximum temperature within 100 C. to 500 C. for a predefined period for forming the ceramic composite material.