Abstract: Addition of from about 1.0 to about 15% by weight of a vanadium oxide or boric oxide promoter to a zirconia (ZrO.sub.2) powder promotes rapid densification at temperatures below about 1300.degree. C. For example, a density of greater than 92% of estimated theoretical density can be achieved by addition of 4% by weight of ZrV.sub.2 O.sub.7 to monoclinic ZrO.sub.2 and sintering at 1100.degree. C. for about 24 hours. Sintering at temperatures below about 1150.degree. C. avoids the destructive monoclinic/tetragonal phase transformation and provides for better control of microstructure and composition. A density of greater than 98% of estimated theoretical density can be achieved by addition of from about 2 to about 5% by weight of a boric oxide promoter to stabilized cubic ZrO.sub.2 and sintering at about 1200.degree. C. for about 4 hours.

Abstract: Addition of from about 0.1 to about 6.0% by weight of V.sub.2 O.sub.5 to (PZT)lead zirconate-lead titanate powder promotes rapid densification at temperatures below 1000.degree. C. and eliminates the need for PbO atmosphere control. Densification to greater than 98% of theoretical density is achieved with firing times as short as 1-5 minutes. Dielectric properties depend upon the amount of V.sub.2 O.sub.5 added and upon the microstructure developed, but in general are equivalent to those reported for conventional PZT compositions.

Abstract: A ceramic dielectric composition useful in the manufacture of compact ceramic capacitors consisting essentially of barium titanate and zirconium dioxide has a dielectric constant ranging from 1800 to 3500 and a heat dissipation factor, tangent delta, less than 3% over the operating temperature range of electronic circuit components.