Structural and mechanical properties characterization of barium strontium titanate (BST) ceramics

Ba(1-x)Sr(x)TiO3 ceramics, where x = 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20, were prepared by solid state reaction technique. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the formation of single phase perovskite structures. Mechanical properties such as ultrasonic attenuation, longitudinal wave velocity, and longitudinal elastic modulus were studied by an ultrasonic pulse echo technique at 2 MHz. Investigations of ceramic microstructures and mechanical properties showed its dependence on composition and sintering time. Increasing of Sr content, x, resulted in a decrease in bulk density and ultrasonic attenuation and an increase in velocity and modulus. Also, size of crystallites and c/a ratio were found to decrease with increasing of x, and increased with increasing of sintering time. High temperature ultrasonic studies showed, in addition to Curie phase transition, two relaxation peaks and its origin was investigated. The acquired structural and mechanical results were correlated and discussed.