PZT · grade
PZT-4
Properties of the PZT-4 condition, compared with the other PZT tempers.
Pick for high-drive sonar and ultrasonic power transducers where low loss and high mechanical Q matter more than sensitivity.
What is PZT-4?
PZT-4 is PZT in the PZT-4 grade — pick for high-drive sonar and ultrasonic power transducers where low loss and high mechanical Q matter more than sensitivity. PZT-4 has a tensile strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi), weaker than 57% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 81 GPa (11.7 Msi). PZT-4 has a density of 7.5 g/cm³ (0.271 lb/in³), heavier than 73% of ceramic grades. Sintered is the default condition FabDigit quotes; PZT-4 is available on request or by drawing note.
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 1.3 W/m·K (0.751 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 94% of ceramic grades
- Limited service temperature — 165°C (329 °F), worse than 88% of ceramic grades
- Low fracture toughness — 1 MPa·√m (0.91 ksi·√in), worse than 85% of ceramic grades
- Low stiffness — 81 GPa (11.7 Msi), worse than 77% of ceramic grades
PZT-4 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PZT-4 — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every PZT temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the ceramic grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical2
PZT-4 has a density of 7.5 g/cm³ (0.271 lb/in³), heavier than 73% of ceramic grades.
Mechanical11
PZT-4 has a tensile strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi), weaker than 57% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 81 GPa (11.7 Msi).
Thermal5
PZT-4 is rated for continuous service to 165°C (329 °F). It conducts heat at 1.3 W/m·K (0.751 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 94% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 4 µm/m·K (2.22 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
PZT-4 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 5 kV/mm (127 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁰ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 71% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PZT-4 takes about 70 MJ of energy and emits 5.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 70% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability3
PZT-4's machinability is not recommended (8/100, better than 70% of ceramic grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other PZT tempers and conditions
PZT is also supplied in 4 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the PZT overview.
- SinteredDefaultDefault general-purpose soft PZT blank for sensors, receivers and low-power actuators.8 properties
- PZT-4Pick for high-drive sonar and ultrasonic power transducers where low loss and high mechanical Q matter more than sensitivity.8 properties
- PZT-8Pick for continuous high-field ultrasonic welding/cleaning stacks where dielectric and mechanical losses must be minimal.8 properties
Working with PZT-4
Is PZT easy to machine?
Green machining is easy; fired PZT requires diamond grinding, lapping, dicing or ultrasonic machining, with light passes to avoid edge chipping and micro-cracking.
Can PZT be welded?
Not weldable — joined by conductive epoxy, solder to fired-on Ag electrodes (<250 °C, short dwell) or clamped stack preload.
Can PZT be formed, bent or molded?
Formed by dry/isostatic pressing or tape casting of calcined powder, sintered 1150–1320 °C in a PbO-rich atmosphere to limit lead volatilisation, then electroded and DC-poled above the coercive field.
What surface finishes work on PZT?
Fired silver, sputtered Cr/Ni-Au or electroless Ni electrodes; lap or polish faces flat before electroding, and avoid temperatures above ~½ Tc during any downstream process to prevent depoling.
PZT chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Pbas PbO in the perovskite A-site; partly substituted by Sr/Ba/La in doped grades | 60 – 65 | 63.6 |
| ZrZr/Ti ratio near the morphotropic phase boundary (~52/48) | 12 – 16 | 14.6 |
| Ti | 6 – 8.5 | 7.1 |
| Nbdonor dopant in soft grades (PZT-5A/5H) | 0 – 1.5 | 0.6 |
| Feacceptor dopant in hard grades (PZT-4/8) | 0 – 1 | 0.3 |
| SrA-site modifier, adjusts Curie point/permittivity | 0 – 2 | 0.8 |
| O | ≥ 14 (balance) | — |
PZT-4 — frequently asked
What is PZT-4 used for?
PZT-4 is typically used for ultrasonic transducer discs and rings, piezoelectric sensors and accelerometers, hydrophone and sonar elements, stack and bender actuators, ultrasonic cleaning and welding drivers and flow and level measurement probes. In short: piezoelectric actuator ceramic.
What is the tensile strength of PZT-4?
PZT-4 has a typical tensile strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) — weaker than 57% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is PZT-4 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (8/100, better than 70% of ceramic grades). Green machining is easy; fired PZT requires diamond grinding, lapping, dicing or ultrasonic machining, with light passes to avoid edge chipping and micro-cracking.
Can PZT-4 be welded?
Not weldable — joined by conductive epoxy, solder to fired-on Ag electrodes (<250 °C, short dwell) or clamped stack preload.
What surface finishes work on PZT-4?
Fired silver, sputtered Cr/Ni-Au or electroless Ni electrodes; lap or polish faces flat before electroding, and avoid temperatures above ~½ Tc during any downstream process to prevent depoling.
Can PZT-4 be formed, bent or molded?
Formed by dry/isostatic pressing or tape casting of calcined powder, sintered 1150–1320 °C in a PbO-rich atmosphere to limit lead volatilisation, then electroded and DC-poled above the coercive field.
What is the maximum service temperature of PZT-4?
PZT-4 is rated for continuous use to about 165°C (329 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in PZT-4?
Yes — PZT-4 is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- IEEE 176 Standard on Piezoelectricity — IEEE (1987)
- Physical and Piezoelectric Properties of APC Materials — APC International (2023)
- PIC Piezoelectric Ceramic Materials Data — PI Ceramic (2023)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.4 — Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.