Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic and a piezoelectric device capable of being fired at a low temperature and improving piezoelectric properties are provided. The piezoelectric ceramic and the piezoelectric device includes Pba[(Znb/3Nb2/3)xTiyZrz]O3 (where 0.94?a?1.02, 1<b?3, x+y+z=1, 0.05?x<0.125, 0.275<y?0.5, 0.375<z?0.6) or (Pbe·fMef)[(Zng/3Nb2/3)uTivZrw]O3 (where 0.96?e?1.03, 0.01?f?0.1, 1<g?3, u+v+w=1, 0.05?u<0.125, 0.275<v?0.5, 0.375<w?0.6, and Me indicates Sr, Ba or Ca). When an excessive amount of Zn is included, the firing temperature can be lower, and the piezoelectric properties can be improved.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multilayer ceramic device capable of obtaining a superior multilayer ceramic device even if the number of layers increases or even if the multilayer ceramic device is upsized, and specifically suitable for manufacturing a multilayer piezoelectric device is provided. After a laminate in which ceramic precursor layers including a raw material of a ceramic layer and internal electrode precursor layers including copper metal as a raw material of an internal electrode layer are alternately stacked is formed, the laminate is heated to degrease the laminate. At this time, an atmospheric gas including an inert gas, 7 mol % to 50 mol % of water vapor, and, if necessary, hydrogen is used to adjust an oxygen partial pressure within a range of p(O2)?(25331×Kp)2/3, where p(O2) represents an oxygen partial pressure; Kp represents a water dissociation equilibrium constant; and the pressure unit is Pa.

Abstract: Provided is a piezoelectric ceramic with a wider operating temperature range capable of obtaining a larger amount of displacement and being easily sintered, as well as being superior in terms of ultra-low emission, environmental friendliness and ecology. A piezoelectric substrate 1 comprises a composition including a perovskite-type oxide (Na1-x-y-zKxLiyAgz)(Nb1-wTaw)O3 and a tungsten bronze-type oxide M(Nb1-vTav)2O6 (M is an element of Group 2 in the long form of the periodic table of the elements). The values of x, y and z are preferably within a range of 0.1?x?0.9, 0?y?0.2, and 0?z?0.05, respectively. The content of the tungsten bronze-type oxide is preferably 5.3 mol % or less. Thereby, a higher Curie temperature and a larger amount of displacement can be obtained, and sintering can be more easily carried out.

Abstract: The invention provides a piezoelectric ceramic material comprising a Bi3TiNbO9 crystal and/or an MBi2Nb2O9 crystal which are each a bismuth layer compound, where M represents at least one element selected from Sr, Ba and Ca. The ceramic material contains Bi, Ti, M and Nb as main component elements. The molar ratio as oxides of the main component elements is given by (Bi3−xMx)z (Nb1+yTi1−y)O9 provided that 0<x, y≦0.8 and 0.95≦z≦1.05. When the molar ratio of Ba/(M+Bi) is given by xB/3 and the molar ratio of Ca/(M+Bi) is given by xC/3, it is required that 0≦xB≦0.5 and 0≦xC<0.4. This piezoelectric ceramic material, free from any lead whatsoever, has a sufficiently high Curie point, and exhibits ever more improved piezoelectric properties.

Abstract: The invention provides a piezoelectric ceramic material comprising a Bi3TiNbO9 crystal and/or an MBi2Nb2O9 crystal which are each a bismuth layer compound, where M represents at least one element selected from Sr, Ba and Ca. The ceramic material contains Bi, Ti, M and Nb as main component elements. The molar ratio as oxides of the main component elements is given by (Bi3−xMx)z (Nb1+yTi1−y)O9 provided that 0<x, y≦0.8 and 0.95≦z≦1.05. When the molar ratio of Ba/(M+Bi) is given by xB/3 and the molar ratio of Ca/(M+Bi) is given by xc/3, it is required that 0≦xB≦0.5 and 0≦xC<0.4. This piezoelectric ceramic material, free from any lead whatsoever, has a sufficiently high Curie point, and exhibits ever more improved piezoelectric properties.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic composition which contains a main component represented by the general formula of x(Pb.sub.2 Me.sub.2 O.sub.7).sub.1/2 .multidot.(1-x)[Pb(Zr.sub.1-y Ti.sub.y)O.sub.3 ] in which x and y are numerical values satisfying the relations 0.01.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.05 and 0.40.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.55, and Me is at least one of Sb, Nb and Ta. In the component, 0.1 to 0.8% by weight of Cr calculated in terms of chrome oxide and 0.01 to 0.1% by weight of Si calculated in terms of silicon oxide with respect to the weight of 1 mol of the main component are added as subsidiary components.

Abstract: The invention provides a rapid temperature rise heater element comprising an exothermic section (1) and a lead section (2), the exothermic section (1) comprising an exothermic section conductor of ceramic material which includes at least four stacked exothermic section conductive layers (1a) with an exothermic section insulating layer (1c) of ceramic material interposed therebetween and connections (1b) each for connecting adjacent exothermic section conductive layers (1a). The lead section (2) includes first and second lead section conductive layers (2a and 2b) electrically connected to the uppermost and lowermost exothermic section conductive layers (1a), respectively, the first and second lead section conductive layers (2a and 2b) being stacked with a lead section insulating layer (2c) of ceramic material interposed therebetween. A durable rapid temperature rise heater element can be efficiently fabricated at low cost while maintaining heater performance.