PbNb2O6
PbNb₂O₆ (lead metaniobate) is a lead-bearing ferroelectric piezoceramic with very low mechanical Q and strong anisotropy, available sintered (SINT), hot-pressed (HP) and as PCN and PBN modified compositions.
Reference datasheet — PbNb2O6 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the SINT condition
PbNb2O6 tempers and conditions
PbNb2O6 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. SINT is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SINTDefault Sintered | Choose this conventionally pressed and sintered commercial grade (EC-97 / K81 class) for broadband NDT probes and general pulse-echo transducers at the best cost-to-performance ratio. | 25 | 0.05 | 300 HV | 2 W/m·K | |
Barium-modified lead metaniobate (Pb,Ba)Nb2O6 | Choose barium substitution when higher permittivity and easier capacitance matching are needed for low-impedance broadband array elements; the Curie point drops further, capping service at 200 °C. | 25 | 0 | 290 HV | 2 W/m·K | |
Calcium-modified lead metaniobate (Pb,Ca)Nb2O6 | Use the calcium-modified (Pb,Ca)Nb2O6 composition, where Ca partly replaces Pb to raise piezoelectric activity and sinterability, for medium-to-high sensitivity broadband probes; the Curie point falls, limiting service to 250 °C. | 27 | 0 | 310 HV | 2 W/m·K | |
Hot-pressed / high-density lead metaniobate | Pick the hot-pressed route when higher density (6.2 g/cm³), higher strength and thinner plates for high-frequency probes are required; unit cost is markedly higher. | 35 | 0 | 380 HV | 2 W/m·K |
What is PbNb2O6?
PbNb₂O₆ (lead metaniobate) is a lead-bearing ferroelectric piezoceramic with very low mechanical Q and strong anisotropy, available sintered (SINT), hot-pressed (HP) and as PCN and PBN modified compositions. Engineers select it for broadband and short-pulse acoustic response in NDT and medical imaging, normally as sintered discs, plates and diced slices with fired silver electrodes. Density is 5.9 g/cm³, modulus 45 GPa and maximum service temperature 400 °C. The material is brittle and somewhat porous, contains lead, and must be soldered at low temperature to avoid depoling; modified PZT is the alternative when higher coupling and mechanical Q are wanted. PbNb2O6 has a density of 5.9 g/cm³ (0.213 lb/in³), heavier than 63% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,350°C (2,462 °F). PbNb2O6 has a tensile strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi), weaker than 85% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0.05% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi).
What is PbNb2O6 used for?
- NDT ultrasonic probes
- medical imaging transducers
- broadband hydrophones
Limitations
- Low fracture toughness — 0.9 MPa·√m (0.819 ksi·√in), worse than 96% of ceramic grades
- Poor heat conductor — 1.5 W/m·K (0.867 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 92% of ceramic grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 88% of ceramic grades
- Low stiffness — 45 GPa (6.53 Msi), worse than 85% of ceramic grades
- Limited service temperature — 400°C (752 °F), worse than 81% of ceramic grades
PbNb2O6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PbNb2O6-SINT; bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical3
PbNb2O6 has a density of 5.9 g/cm³ (0.213 lb/in³), heavier than 63% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,350°C (2,462 °F).
Mechanical11
PbNb2O6 has a tensile strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi), weaker than 85% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0.05% and the elastic modulus is 45 GPa (6.53 Msi).
Thermal5
PbNb2O6 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 1.5 W/m·K (0.867 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 92% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 3.5 µm/m·K (1.94 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
PbNb2O6 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 6 kV/mm (152.4 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁰ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), worse than 67% of ceramic grades.
Manufacturability3
PbNb2O6's machinability is not recommended (6/100, better than 61% of ceramic grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the ceramic family
Yield strength against density for every ceramic grade FabDigit runs. PbNb2O6 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PbNb2O6
Is PbNb2O6 easy to machine?
Only diamond wheel grinding and wire sawing/slicing are possible. The material is brittle and porous, so remove the damaged surface layer after grinding and re-assess the depoling/poling state.
Can PbNb2O6 be welded?
The ceramic is not weldable; connection to metal relies on soldering the fired silver electrode with low-temperature solder below 200 °C to avoid depoling, or on conductive adhesive bonding.
Can PbNb2O6 be formed, bent or molded?
Dry pressing, isostatic pressing or tape casting followed by sintering at 1230–1320 °C; a lead-bearing protective atmosphere is required and the phase-transition range must be passed quickly to avoid cracking. The hot-pressing route gives higher density.
PbNb2O6 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pbabout 45.6 wt% as PbO; partly Ca/Ba-substituted in modified grades | 40 – 43.5 | 42.4 |
| Nbabout 54.4 wt% as Nb2O5 | 36.5 – 39 | 38 |
| Ostoichiometric oxygen | balance |
What surface finishes work on PbNb2O6?
After sintering, grind flat, then screen-print or sputter silver/nickel electrodes and fire them, and pole at high field in silicone oil. Nickel or gold plating can be added to improve solderability.
How much does PbNb2O6 cost?
PbNb2O6 is a high-cost ceramic ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
PbNb2O6 — frequently asked
What is PbNb2O6 used for?
PbNb2O6 is typically used for NDT ultrasonic probes, medical imaging transducers and broadband hydrophones. In short: lowest mechanical-Q piezoceramic; best broadband pulse response; lead-bearing composition.
What is the tensile strength of PbNb2O6?
PbNb2O6 has a typical tensile strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) — weaker than 85% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is PbNb2O6 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (6/100, better than 61% of ceramic grades). Only diamond wheel grinding and wire sawing/slicing are possible. The material is brittle and porous, so remove the damaged surface layer after grinding and re-assess the depoling/poling state.
Can PbNb2O6 be welded?
The ceramic is not weldable; connection to metal relies on soldering the fired silver electrode with low-temperature solder below 200 °C to avoid depoling, or on conductive adhesive bonding.
What surface finishes work on PbNb2O6?
After sintering, grind flat, then screen-print or sputter silver/nickel electrodes and fire them, and pole at high field in silicone oil. Nickel or gold plating can be added to improve solderability.
Can PbNb2O6 be formed, bent or molded?
Dry pressing, isostatic pressing or tape casting followed by sintering at 1230–1320 °C; a lead-bearing protective atmosphere is required and the phase-transition range must be passed quickly to avoid cracking. The hot-pressing route gives higher density.
What is the maximum service temperature of PbNb2O6?
PbNb2O6 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does PbNb2O6 cost?
PbNb2O6 is a high-cost ceramic ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- Lead Metaniobate Piezoelectric Ceramic Data (EC-97 / K81 / K85 class) — EDO Ceramics / Piezo Kinetics (2018)
- Piezoceramic Materials Data — Pz35 / high-damping niobate grades — Meggitt Ferroperm Piezoceramics (2021)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.4 — Ceramics and Glasses (piezoelectric ceramics) — ASM International (1991)
- IEEE 176 Standard on Piezoelectricity — IEEE (1987)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.