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Abstract

A ceramic material has piezoelectric characteristics, can be sintered at low temperature, and is suited to various piezoelectric devices. The ceramic material primarily includes Pb, Zr, and Ti and has the general formula ABO.sub.d, in which A is (Pb.sub.1-aM.sup.1.sub.a-b), where M.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of group 3A elements, Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, and Sr, and B is [(M.sup.2.sub.1/3Nb.sub.2/3-c).sub..alpha.Zr.sub..beta.Ti.sub..gamma.], where M.sup.2 is one or more elements capable of forming at least a perovskite structure in the ceramic material, or the formula Pb.sub.xM.sup.3.sub.1-x[(M.sup.4.sub.1/3Nb.sub.2/3).sub.e(Co.sub.1/3Nb.su-b.2/3).sub.f(Zn.sub.1/3Nb.sub.2/3).sub.gZr.sub.hTi.sub.i]O.sub.3, where M.sup.3 denotes one or more elements selected from among the group consisting of La, K, Er, and Yb and M.sup.4 denotes an element selected from among the group consisting of Ni, Mn, and Sr. The ceramic material can be prepared by sintering at a temperature of 950.degree. C. or less and has good piezoelectric characteristics, in particularly good longitudinal elongation (d.sub.33) and a low dielectric loss factor (tan .delta.), even at a high Curie temperature (Tc), as well as a good electromechanical coupling factor (Kp).

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