A piezoelectric ceramic, which does not contain lead as a constituent element, is characterized in that: its primary component is a perovskite compound expressed by the composition formula (Bi.sub.0.5−x/2Na.sub.0.5−x/2Ba.sub.x)(Ti.sub.1−yMn.sub.y)O.sub.3 (where 0.01≤x≤0.25, 0.001≤y≤0.020); and the coefficient of variation (CV) in grain size among the grains contained therein is 35 percent or lower. The piezoelectric ceramic presents an improved dielectric loss tangent tan δ.

The invention relates to a ceramic material, comprising lead zirconate titanate, which additionally contains K and optionally Cu. The ceramic material can be used in an electroceramic component, for example a piezoelectric actuator. The invention also relates to methods for producing the ceramic material and the electronic component.

The present invention relates to a method for producing piezoelectric multi-layered components (2), which comprises the following steps: applying an electrode material (5) to green sheets (3) containing a piezoelectric material, applying a layer of a first auxiliary material (9) to at least one green sheet (3) containing the piezoelectric material, forming a stack (1), in which the green sheets (3), to which electrode material (5) is applied, are arranged one on top of another, wherein at least one ply of the green sheet (3), to which the layer of the first auxiliary material (9) is applied, is arranged in the stack (1), sintering the stack (1), wherein the layer of the first auxiliary material (9) is thinned, and firing the stack (1), wherein the stack (1) is singulated along the at least one ply into at least two multi-layered components (2).

A ceramic tool material, in particular with piezoelectric effect and a preparation method thereof, and a cutting tool. The ceramic tool material includes the following raw materials by weight: 30-70 parts of matrix material, 30-70 parts of piezoelectric material, 5-10 parts of binder, and 10-20 parts of reinforcing phase and can be made into cutting tools. The cutting tool has a piezoelectric effect and excellent mechanical properties and can convert the cutting force signal into the charge signal during machining. By collecting charge signals, a cutting force can be measured and ceramic cutting tool condition can be monitored. Cutting force measurement function and high mechanical properties are integrated. A ceramic tool material with piezoelectric effect can measure the cutting force on the premise by meeting the cutting performance requirements.

A ceramic tool material, in particular with piezoelectric effect and a preparation method thereof, and a cutting tool. The ceramic tool material includes the following raw materials by weight: 30-70 parts of matrix material, 30-70 parts of piezoelectric material, 5-10 parts of binder, and 10-20 parts of reinforcing phase and can be made into cutting tools. The cutting tool has a piezoelectric effect and excellent mechanical properties and can convert the cutting force signal into the charge signal during machining. By collecting charge signals, a cutting force can be measured and ceramic cutting tool condition can be monitored. Cutting force measurement function and high mechanical properties are integrated. A ceramic tool material with piezoelectric effect can measure the cutting force on the premise by meeting the cutting performance requirements.

A piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric element body including a first principal surface and a second principal surface opposing each other, and a plurality of external electrodes disposed on the first principal surface. A vibration member includes a third principal surface opposing the second principal surface. The piezoelectric element is joined to the third principal surface. A wiring member is electrically connected to the piezoelectric element. The wiring member includes a region located on the plurality of external electrodes and joined to the plurality of external electrodes. The region of the wiring member monolithically covers the plurality of external electrodes when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the first principal surface.

Provided is a piezoelectric ceramics having a gradual change in piezoelectric constant depending on an ambient temperature. Specifically, provided is a single-piece piezoelectric ceramics including as a main component a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by a compositional formula of ABO.sub.3, wherein an A site element in the compositional formula contains Ba and M.sub.1, the M.sub.1 being formed of at least one kind selected from the group consisting of Ca and Bi, wherein a B site element in the compositional formula contains T1 and M.sub.2, the M.sub.2 being formed of at least one kind selected from the group consisting of Zr, Sn, and Hf, wherein concentrations of the M.sub.1 and the M.sub.2 change in at least one direction of the piezoelectric ceramics, and wherein increase and decrease directions of concentration changes of the M.sub.1 and the M.sub.2 are directions opposite to each other.

An optical element includes a primary electrode, a secondary electrode overlapping at least a portion of the primary electrode, and an electrostrictive ceramic layer disposed between and abutting the primary electrode and the secondary electrode, where the electrostrictive ceramic may be characterized by a relative density of at least approximately 99%, an average grain size of at least approximately 300 nm, a transmissivity within the visible spectrum of at least approximately 70%, and bulk haze of less than approximately 10%. Optical properties of the electrostrictive ceramic may be substantially unchanged during the application of a voltage to the electrostrictive ceramic layer and the attendant actuation of the optical element.

A lead-free piezoelectric material includes perovskite-type metal oxide containing Na, Nb, Ba, Ti, and Mg and indicates excellent piezoelectric properties. The piezoelectric material satisfies the following relational expression (1): 0.430≤a≤0.460, 0.433≤b≤0.479, 0.040≤c≤0.070, 0.0125≤d≤0.0650, 0.0015≤e≤0.0092, 0.9×3e≤c−d≤1.1×3e, a+b+c+d+e=1, where a, b, c, d, and e denote the relative numbers of Na, Nb, Ba, Ti, and Mg atoms, respectively.

A piezoelectric component that has a piezoelectric element including a piezoelectric ceramic layer and a sintered metal layer on at least a first main surface of the piezoelectric ceramic layer and containing a non-precious metal, and a protective layer containing an elastic body covering first and second opposed main surfaces of the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric ceramic layer contains 90 mol % or more of a perovskite compound that contains niobium, an alkali metal, and oxygen. A thickness of the piezoelectric element is 100 μm or less.