Abstract: The piezoelectric material of the present invention includes a main component composed of a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by Formula (1), at least one of Mn and Ni, and Mg. The content of Ni is 0 mol or more and 0.05 mol or less based on 1 mol of the perovskite-type metal oxide, and the content of Mn is 0 mol or more and 0.005 mol or less based on 1 mol of the perovskite-type metal oxide, provided that the content of Mn and the content of Ni are not simultaneously 0 mol. The content of Mg is 0.001 mol or more and 0.020 mol or less based on 1 mol of the perovskite-type metal oxide. Formula (1): (NaxBa1-y)(NbyTi1-y)O3 (where x is 0.83 or more and 0.95 or less, y is 0.85 or more and 0.95 or less, and x/y is 0.95 or more and 1.05 or less).

Abstract: The piezoelectric material of the present invention includes a main component composed of a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by Formula (1), Zn, and Mg. The content of Zn is 0.005 mol or more and 0.050 mol or less based on 1 mol of the perovskite-type metal oxide, and the content of Mg is 0.001 mol or more and 0.020 mol or less based on 1 mol of the perovskite-type metal oxide. Formula (1): (NaxBa1-y)(NbyTi1-y)O3 (where x is 0.83 or more and 0.95 or less, y is 0.85 or more and 0.95 or less, and x/y is 0.95 or more and 1.05 or less).

Abstract: There is provided a lead- and potassium-free piezoelectric material having a high piezoelectric constant and a satisfactory insulation property and a piezoelectric element that includes the piezoelectric material. The piezoelectric material contains a perovskite-type metal oxide having the general formula (1): (NaxBa1-y)(NbyTi1-y)O3 (wherein x satisfies 0.80?x?0.95, and y satisfies 0.85?y?0.95); and at least one rare-earth element selected from La, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu, wherein the rare-earth element content is more than 0 mol % and 5 mol % or less of the amount of perovskite-type metal oxide. The piezoelectric element includes the piezoelectric material.

Abstract: The piezoelectric material of the present invention includes a main component composed of a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by Formula (1), at least one of Mn and Ni, and Mg. The content of Ni is 0 mol or more and 0.05 mol or less based on 1 mol of the perovskite-type metal oxide, and the content of Mn is 0 mol or more and 0.005 mol or less based on 1 mol of the perovskite-type metal oxide, provided that the content of Mn and the content of Ni are not simultaneously 0 mol. The content of Mg is 0.001 mol or more and 0.020 mol or less based on 1 mol of the perovskite-type metal oxide. Formula (1): (NaxBa1-y)(NbyTi1-y)O3 (where x is 0.83 or more and 0.95 or less, y is 0.85 or more and 0.95 or less, and x/y is 0.95 or more and 1.05 or less).

Abstract: The piezoelectric material of the present invention includes a main component composed of a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by Formula (1), Zn, and Mg. The content of Zn is 0.005 mol or more and 0.050 mol or less based on 1 mol of the perovskite-type metal oxide, and the content of Mg is 0.001 mol or more and 0.020 mol or less based on 1 mol of the perovskite-type metal oxide. Formula (1): (NaxBa1-y)(NbyTi1-y)O3 (where x is 0.83 or more and 0.95 or less, y is 0.85 or more and 0.95 or less, and x/y is 0.95 or more and 1.05 or less).

Abstract: There is provided a lead- and potassium-free piezoelectric material having a high piezoelectric constant and a satisfactory insulation property and a piezoelectric element that includes the piezoelectric material. The piezoelectric material contains a perovskite-type metal oxide having the general formula (1): (NaxBa1-y)(NbyTi1-y)O3 (wherein x satisfies 0.80?x?0.95, and y satisfies 0.85?y?0.95); and at least one rare-earth element selected from La, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu, wherein the rare-earth element content is more than 0 mol % and 5 mol % or less of the amount of perovskite-type metal oxide. The piezoelectric element includes the piezoelectric material.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic includes a perovskite-type metal oxide containing barium titanate, and Mn. When a surface thereof along the remanent polarization direction is subjected to X-ray diffraction analysis at room temperature, the ratio of the diffraction intensity of the (002) plane to the diffraction intensity of the (200) plane is 1.0 or more, the diffraction peak of the (002) plane has a half width of 1.2° or less, and the lattice constant of the c-axis thereof and the lattice constant of the a-axis thereof satisfy the relationship 1.004?c/a?1.010.

Abstract: Provided are a barium titanate-based piezoelectric ceramics having satisfactory piezoelectric performance and a satisfactory mechanical quality factor (Qm), and a piezoelectric element using the same. Specifically provided are a piezoelectric ceramics, including: crystal particles; and a grain boundary between the crystal particles, in which the crystal particles each include barium titanate having a perovskite-type structure and manganese at 0.04% by mass or more and 0.20% by mass or less in terms of a metal with respect to the barium titanate, and the grain boundary includes at least one compound selected from the group consisting of Ba4Ti12O27 and Ba6Ti17O40, and a piezoelectric element using the same.

Abstract: Provided is a lead-free piezoelectric material having satisfactory piezoelectric constant and mechanical quality factor in a device driving temperature range (?30° C. to 50° C.) The piezoelectric material includes a main component containing a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by Formula 1, a first auxiliary component composed of Mn, and a second auxiliary component composed of Bi or Bi and Li. The content of Mn is 0.040 parts by weight or more and 0.500 parts by weight or less based on 100 parts by weight of the metal oxide on a metal basis. The content of Bi is 0.042 parts by weight or more and 0.850 parts by weight or less and the content of Li is 0.028 parts by weight or less (including 0 parts by weight) based on 100 parts by weight of the metal oxide on a metal basis. (Ba1-xCax)a(Ti1-yZry)O3 . . . (1), wherein, 0.030?x<0.090, 0.030?y?0.080, and 0.9860?a?1.0200.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lead-free piezoelectric material having a high piezoelectric constant and a high mechanical quality factor in a wide operating temperature range. The piezoelectric material includes a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by Formula (1): (Ba1-xCax)a(Ti1-yZry)O3 (1.00?a?1.01, 0.125?x<0.155, and 0.041?y?0.074) as a main component. The metal oxide contains Mn in a content of 0.12 parts by weight or more and 0.40 parts by weight or less based on 100 parts by weight of the metal oxide on a metal basis.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic includes: a metal oxide represented by General Formula (1); and 0.04 parts by weight or more and 0.36 parts by weight or less of Mn and 0.042 parts by weight or more and 0.850 parts by weight or less of Bi on a metal basis relative to 100 parts by weight of the metal oxide, wherein the piezoelectric ceramic includes a plurality of first crystal grains having a perovskite structure, and a plurality of second crystal grains provided at a grain boundary between the first crystal grains and having a crystal structure different from that of the first crystal grain, and the second crystal grain mainly contains at least one metal oxide selected from Ba4Ti12O27 and Ba6Ti17O40. (Ba1-xCax)a(Ti1-yZry)O3??(1) (where 0.09?x?0.30, 0.025?y?0.085, 0.986?a?1.

Abstract: Provided is a vibrator and an ultrasonic motor that are capable of exhibiting a sufficient drive speed even when a lead-free piezoelectric ceramics is used. The ultrasonic motor includes an annular vibrator and an annular moving member arranged so as to be brought into pressure-contact with the vibrator. The vibrator includes an annular vibrating plate and an annular piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element includes an annular piezoelectric ceramic piece, a common electrode arranged on one surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece, and a plurality of electrodes arranged on the other surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece. The piezoelectric ceramic piece contains lead in a content of less than 1,000 ppm. The plurality of electrodes include two drive phase electrodes, at least one non-drive phase electrode, and at least one detection phase electrode.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonic motor including an annular vibrator and an annular moving member that is brought into pressure-contact with the vibrator. The vibrator includes an annular vibrating plate and an annular piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element includes an annular lead-free piezoelectric ceramic piece, a common electrode arranged on one surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece, and a plurality of electrodes arranged on the other surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece. The plurality of electrodes include two drive phase electrodes, one or more non-drive phase electrodes, and one or more detection phase electrodes. A second surface of the vibrating plate includes a plurality of groove regions extending radially, and the depths of the groove regions change in a circumferential direction along a curve obtained by superimposing one or more sine waves on one another. The ultrasonic motor exhibits a sufficient drive speed while suppressing generation of an unnecessary vibration wave.

Abstract: Provided are an ultrasonic motor and a drive control system and the like using the ultrasonic motor. The ultrasonic motor includes an annular vibrator and an annular moving member arranged so as to be brought into pressure-contact with the vibrator. The vibrator includes an annular vibrating plate and an annular piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element includes an annular piezoelectric ceramic piece, a common electrode arranged on one surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece, and a plurality of electrodes arranged on the other surface of the piezoelectric ceramic piece. The piezoelectric ceramic piece contains lead in a content of less than 1,000 ppm. The plurality of electrodes include two drive phase electrodes, one or more non-drive phase electrodes, and one or more detection phase electrodes.

Abstract: A barium titanate piezoelectric ceramic having good piezoelectric properties and mechanical strength and a piezoelectric element that includes the ceramic are provided. A method for making a piezoelectric ceramic includes forming a compact composed of an oxide powder containing barium titanate particles, sintering the compact, and decreasing the temperature of the compact after the sintering. The sintering includes (A) increasing the temperature of the compact to a first temperature within a temperature range of a shrinking process of the compact; (B) increasing the temperature of the compact to a second temperature within a temperature range of a liquid phase sintering process of the compact after (A); (C) decreasing the temperature of the compact to a third temperature within the temperature range of the shrinking process of the compact after (B); and (D) retaining the third temperature after (C).

Abstract: Provided is a lead-free piezoelectric ceramics having enhanced mechanical quality factor (Qm) and mechanical strength. The piezoelectric ceramics, includes at least a first crystal grain and a second crystal grain. The first crystal grain has an average equivalent circle diameter of 2 ?m or more and 30 ?m or less. The first crystal grain includes a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by the following general formula (1) as a main component, and the second crystal grain includes a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by the following general formula (2) as a main component: (1) xBaTiO3-yCaTiO3-zCaZrO3; and (2) x?BaTiO3-y?CaTiO3-z?CaZrO3, provided that x, y, z, x?, y?, and z? satisfy x+y+z=1, x?+y?+z?=1, 0?x??0.15, 0.85?y??1, 0?z??0.05, x>x?, 0<y<y?, and z>0.

Abstract: A barium titanate piezoelectric ceramic having good piezoelectric properties and mechanical strength and a piezoelectric element that includes the ceramic are provided. A method for making a piezoelectric ceramic includes forming a compact containing barium titanate particles, sintering the compact, and decreasing the temperature of the compact. The sintering includes (A) increasing the temperature of the compact to a temperature range of a shrinking process of the compact; (B) increasing the temperature of the compact to a temperature range of a liquid phase sintering process of the compact; (C) decreasing the temperature of the compact to the temperature range of the shrinking process of the compact; and (D) retaining the third temperature.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic compatibly represents both an excellent piezoelectric constant and an excellent mechanical quality factor. The piezoelectric ceramic contains a metal oxide expressed by general formula (1) shown below and Mn by not less than 0.04 weight parts and not more than 0.36 weight parts relative to 100 weight parts of the metal oxide in terms of metal. The piezoelectric ceramic includes a plurality of first crystal grains having a perovskite structure and a plurality of second crystal grains existing at grain boundaries between the first crystal grains. The second crystal grains contain at least a metal oxide expressed by general formula (2) shown below: (Ba1-xCax)a(Ti1-yZry)O3??(1) where 0.09?x?0.30, 0.025?y?0.085 and 0.986?a?1.020; (Ba1-vCav)b(Ti1-wZrw)cOd??(2) where 0?v?1, 0?w?1, 1?b?6, 2?c?19, b+2c?1?d?b+2c and b<c where b, c and d are integers.

Abstract: Provided is a piezoelectric material excellent in piezoelectricity. The piezoelectric material includes a perovskite-type complex oxide represented by the following General Formula (1). A(ZnxTi(1-x))yM(1-y)O3??(1) wherein A represents at least one kind of element containing at least a Bi element and selected from a trivalent metal element; M represents at least one kind of element of Fe, Al, Sc, Mn, Y, Ga, and Yb; x represents a numerical value satisfying 0.4?x?0.6; and y represents a numerical value satisfying 0.1?y?0.9.

Abstract: There is provided a lead-free piezoelectric material having a high and stable piezoelectric constant and mechanical quality factor in a wide operating temperature range. A piezoelectric material mainly composed of a perovskite type metal oxide having the general formula (1), wherein manganese is incorporated in the metal oxide, and the Mn content is 0.12 parts by weight or more and 0.40 parts by weight or less on a metal basis per 100 parts by weight of the metal oxide. (Ba1-xCax)a(Ti1-y-zSnyZrz)O3??(1) (1.00?a?1.01, 0.125?x?0.300, 0<y?0.020, and 0.041?z?0.069).