Effect of Silver on the Sintering and Grain‐Growth Behavior of Barium Titanate

Silver and its alloys frequently are used as electrode material for BaTiO 3 ‐based dielectrics. In the present study, a small amount of fine silver particles have been intimately mixed with BaTiO 3 powder. The sintering and grain‐growth behavior of the silver‐doped BaTiO 3 in air are investigated. The solubility of silver in BaTiO 3 , as revealed by lattice‐parameter measurement, electrical measurement, and electron probe microanalysis, is <300 ppm. The densification of BaTiO 3 is slowed slightly by the addition of silver inclusions. However, the presence of a small amount (<0.3 wt%) of silver increases the amount and size of abnormal grains. When the silver content is >0.3 wt%, the grain growth of BaTiO 3 then is prohibited by the silver inclusions.