Experiment and prediction of nonlinear behavior at high temperatures of ferroelectric ceramics switched by electric field at room temperature

Changes in polarization and thermal expansion coefficients during temperature increase of a poled lead zirconate titanate (PZT) cube specimen switched by an electric field at room temperature are measured. The measured data are analyzed to construct governing differential equations for polarization and strain changes. By solving the differential equations, an experimental formula for the high temperature behavior of ferroelectric materials is obtained. It is found that the predictions by the formula are in good agreement with measures. From the viewpoint of macroscopic remnant state variables, it appears that the processes of electric field-induced switching at different temperatures are identical and independent of temperature between 20^oC and 110^oC.