In order to study the influence of the particle size of precursor powders on the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of the (Pb0.945Bi0.027La0.01)(Nb0.95Ti0.0625)2O6 piezoelectric ceramics, precursor powders with different average particle size were obtained by means of high-energy vibration milling (sample Ⅰ) and normal planetary milling (sample Ⅱ). Effects of the particle size of precursor powders on calcination, sintering, phase structure, microstructure, dielectric and piezoelectric properties of the ceramics were studied in detail. The precursor powders prepared via the high-energy vibration milling show the pure rhombohedral phase after calcining at 725 ℃, while the calcination temperature increases to 900 ℃ to obtain the pure rhombohedral phase for the precursor powders prepared via the normal planetary milling. Sample I sintered at temperatures from 1 170 to 1 185 ℃ have the single orthorhombic phase, while the sintering temperatures increase to 1 180~1 190 ℃ to obtain the single orthorhombic phase for sample Ⅱ. The anisotropy of the grains in sample I was weakened obviously. The dielectric properties of the both samples were similar. The values of dielectric constant remain almost unchanged at temperatures between room temperature and about 400 ℃. Sample Ⅱ sintered at 1 180 ℃ shows improved piezoelectric charge constant(d33 =87 pC/N), while sample Ⅰ shows a lower d33.

lead metaniobate; piezoelectric ceramic; particle size of precursor powders; electrical properties