Effect of sintering condition on the morphology of abnormally grown grains in Nb-doped SrTiO3 ceramics

Abstract

In this investigation we have studied the influence of sintering condition and Ti/Sr ratio on abnormal grain growth of Nb-doped SrTiO3. For the Specimens isothermally sintered at 1480 degrees C for 30 to 120 minutes, the onset time of abnormal grain growth was increased with increasing Ti/Sr ratio. The cross-section of abnormally grown grains was mostly hexagonal. When the specimens were quenched in air during heating at a rate of 3 degrees C/min, the onset temperature of abnormal grain growth was increased with increasing Ti/Sr ratio. In this case, the cross-section of abnormally grown grains was mostly rectangular. The relationship between the sintering condition and the three dimensional morphology of faceted large grains by an abnormal grain growth was discussed and it was concluded that {110} planes grow more rapidly than {100} planes during heating.