PZT-5H MLC
Grade
MLC = tape-cast / co-fired multilayer PZT-5H
For low-voltage multilayer actuators and MLA stacks: 20–100 µm layers co-fired with internal electrodes, driven at tens of volts instead of kilovolts.
Values for the MLC condition
Other PZT-5H tempers and conditions
PZT-5H is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at PZT-5H.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MLCThis page Tape-cast / co-fired multilayer PZT-5H | For low-voltage multilayer actuators and MLA stacks: 20–100 µm layers co-fired with internal electrodes, driven at tens of volts instead of kilovolts. | — | 65 | — | 320 HV | 2 W/m·K |
Ultra-high permittivity / ultra-high d₃₃ PZT-5H | Maximum charge sensitivity and strain per volt for micro-positioning and low-voltage actuators; accept higher loss, self-heating and stronger temperature drift. | — | 72 | — | 305 HV | 1 W/m·K |
Stabilised high-sensitivity PZT-5H | Pick when high d₃₃ is needed but dielectric loss, ageing rate and temperature drift must be tighter than standard 5H. | — | 78 | — | 330 HV | 1 W/m·K |
Hot-pressed / fine-grain high-density PZT-5H | Choose for thin plates, high-frequency array elements and mechanically loaded stacks where near-zero porosity and higher strength matter. | — | 100 | — | 380 HV | 2 W/m·K |
What is PZT-5H MLC?
PZT-5H MLC is PZT-5H in the MLC grade — for low-voltage multilayer actuators and MLA stacks: 20–100 µm layers co-fired with internal electrodes, driven at tens of volts instead of kilovolts. PZT-5H MLC has a tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi), weaker than 62% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 58 GPa (8.41 Msi). PZT-5H MLC has a density of 7.6 g/cm³ (0.275 lb/in³), heavier than 74% of ceramic grades.
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 85°C (185 °F), worse than 99% of ceramic grades
- 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
- Low stiffness — 58 GPa (8.41 Msi), worse than 83% of ceramic grades
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 79% of ceramic grades
PZT-5H MLC properties
Typical room-temperature values for PZT-5H MLC; 17 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PZT-5H reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical2
PZT-5H MLC has a density of 7.6 g/cm³ (0.275 lb/in³), heavier than 74% of ceramic grades.
Mechanical10
PZT-5H MLC has a tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi), weaker than 62% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 58 GPa (8.41 Msi).
Thermal5
PZT-5H MLC is rated for continuous service to 85°C (185 °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 4 µm/m·K (2.22 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
PZT-5H MLC is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 8 kV/mm (203.2 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10⁹ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 71% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of PZT-5H MLC takes about 95 MJ of energy and emits 6.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 57% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability3
PZT-5H MLC's machinability is not recommended (4/100, worse than 85% of ceramic grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PZT-5H MLC
Is PZT-5H easy to machine?
Green machining before sintering is preferred; fired parts require diamond grinding, dicing or ultrasonic machining with coolant, and grinding heat/stress can locally depolarise the material.
Can PZT-5H be welded?
Not weldable — parts are joined by conductive epoxy, solder to fired-on Ag electrodes (short dwell, <230 °C) or brazed/bonded metal end-caps.
Can PZT-5H be formed, bent or molded?
Dry pressing, isostatic pressing, extrusion or tape casting of Nb-doped PZT powder, sintered ~1180–1300 °C in a PbO-rich atmosphere, then electroded and DC poled at 1.5–2 kV/mm above room temperature.
What surface finishes work on PZT-5H?
Lap/polish faces flat, then screen-printed fired silver, sputtered Ni/Cr–Au or electroless Ni electrodes; keep all post-poling processes below ~½ Tc (≈95 °C) to avoid depolarisation.
PZT-5H 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; slight PbO excess added to compensate volatilisation | 60 – 64.5 | 63 |
| ZrZr/Ti near the morphotropic phase boundary (~52/48) | 13 – 15.5 | 14.5 |
| Ti | 6 – 8 | 7 |
| Nbdonor dopant (Nb₂O₅) giving the 'soft' behaviour; Sb/La may substitute | 0.5 – 2 | 1.2 |
| SrA-site substitution used to raise permittivity / lower Tc | 0 – 1.5 | 0.6 |
| Operovskite ABO₃ oxygen balance | balance | — |
PZT-5H MLC — frequently asked
What is PZT-5H MLC used for?
PZT-5H MLC is typically used for medical ultrasound transducers, accelerometers, micro-positioners and acoustic emission sensors. In short: highest piezoelectric coefficients; soft, high-sensitivity receiver grade; low Curie point limit.
What is the tensile strength of PZT-5H MLC?
PZT-5H MLC has a typical tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) — weaker than 62% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is PZT-5H MLC easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (4/100, worse than 85% of ceramic grades). Green machining before sintering is preferred; fired parts require diamond grinding, dicing or ultrasonic machining with coolant, and grinding heat/stress can locally depolarise the material.
Can PZT-5H MLC be welded?
Not weldable — parts are joined by conductive epoxy, solder to fired-on Ag electrodes (short dwell, <230 °C) or brazed/bonded metal end-caps.
What surface finishes work on PZT-5H MLC?
Lap/polish faces flat, then screen-printed fired silver, sputtered Ni/Cr–Au or electroless Ni electrodes; keep all post-poling processes below ~½ Tc (≈95 °C) to avoid depolarisation.
Can PZT-5H MLC be formed, bent or molded?
Dry pressing, isostatic pressing, extrusion or tape casting of Nb-doped PZT powder, sintered ~1180–1300 °C in a PbO-rich atmosphere, then electroded and DC poled at 1.5–2 kV/mm above room temperature.
What is the maximum service temperature of PZT-5H MLC?
PZT-5H MLC is rated for continuous use to about 85°C (185 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- IEEE Std 176 — Standard on Piezoelectricity — IEEE (1987)
- MIL-STD-1376B — Piezoelectric Ceramic Material and Measurements Guidelines (Navy Type VI) — US DoD (1995)
- APC 850/855 & Navy Type VI piezoceramic property tables — APC International (2023)
- PZT5H / PZT5H1 / PZT5H2 piezoelectric ceramic data — Morgan Advanced Materials (Electro Ceramics) (2022)
- PIC 255 / PIC 255-type soft PZT material data — PI Ceramic GmbH (2023)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.4: Ceramics and Glasses (piezoelectric ceramics) — 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.