Writers: SILVA, R. S.; JESUS, L. M.; OLIVEIRA, T. C.; SAMPAIO, D. V.; SANTOS, J. C. A.; HERNANDES, Antônio Carlos.
Keywords: Barium calcium titanate; Ferroelectric; Laser sintering; Translucent ceramics; Electro-optical devices
Abstract: Multifunctional transparent ferroelectric ceramics can be used in a wide range of applications, suchas optical modulation and image memory devices, optical shutters, switchers, etc. Frequently, electro-optical ceramics are lead-based and have the disadvantages of being harmful to the environment. Forthis reason, continuous effort has been done in the research for lead-free optical transparent ferroelectricceramics. In this work, we have successfully sintered bulk lead-free translucent and nanostructuredBa1−xCaxTiO3(X = 0–0.30) ceramics by the laser sintering technique. In this technique, a CO2laser is usedas the main heating source for sintering. The laser-sintered ceramics presented high relative density,suitable ferro- and dielectric properties, transmittance up to 42% at 950 nm for Ba0.70Ca0.30TiO3sampleand average grain size changing from 420 nm to 600 nm when the Ca concentration increases.
