Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic composition is expressed by the formula Pb&agr;[{Niw/3Nb1−(w/3)}xTiyZrz]O3. The B site variables x, y, and z lie in a predetermined region in a ternary diagram. The Ni—Nb molar proportion variable satisfies the relationship 0.85≦w<1.00. The Pb molar content &agr; is reduced from the stoichiometric ratio to a value satisfying the relationship 0.950≦&agr;≦0.995. At least one element selected from the group consisting of Sr, Ca, and Ba may be substituted for about 10 mol percent of the Pb.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic composition is expressed by the formula Pb&agr;[{Niw/3Nb1-(w/3)}xTiyZrz]O3. The B site variables x, y, and z lie in a predetermined region in a ternary diagram. The Ni—Nb molar proportion variable satisfies the relationship 0.85≦w<1.00. The Pb molar content &agr; is reduced from the stoichiometric ratio to a value satisfying the relationship 0.950≦&agr;≦0.995. At least one element selected from the group consisting of Sr, Ca, and Ba may be substituted for about 10 mol percent of the Pb.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic composition capable of obtaining a piezoelectric member that can provide a sufficient sintering density even by firing at a low temperature besides only allowing small amount of Pb to be evaporated by firing to reduce deterioration of electrical characteristics, wherein the piezoelectric member comprises a perovskite structure oxide of the piezoelectric ceramic composition containing Pb, Ti, Zr, Ma (Ma represents at least one of Cr, Mn, Fe and Co) and Md (Md represents at least one of Nb, Sb, Ta and W), and wherein a represents the total content (in mole) of Ma, and b, c, d and e (in mole) represent the contents of Sb, Nb, Ta and W, respectively, and 0.50<a/(b+c+d+2e).

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic composition consists essentially of a composite oxide with perovskite structure comprising Pb, Zr and Ti, and contains, as the side component, at least one of Mn and Cr, and further contains Cu. Preferably, the composition still further contains W, more preferably at W/Cu.gtoreq.1.1. Even more preferably, the composition has an excess Pb content larger than the stoichiometric amount of Pb in site A of the composite oxide when represented by the general formula, ABO.sub.3. The composition can be sintered at low temperatures and has good piezoelectric characteristics, for example, a high electromechanical coupling factor.