ANISOTROPICALLY SHAPED CERAMIC PARTICLES AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION OF THE SAME

摘要

Anisotropically shaped ceramic particles represented by the general formula: {(K_1-x-yNa_xLi_y)₄(Nb_1-zTa_z)₆O₁₇+ aMeO_b} (wherein Me is at least one member selected from the group consisting of Sb, Cu, Mn, V, Si, Ti and W; b is a positive number depending on the valence of Me; and x, y, z and a satisfy the relationships: 0 < x < 0.5, 0 < y < 0.3, 0 < z < 0.3, and 0.001 < a < 0.1). The particles have plate-like shape, a mean particle diameter of 1 to 100µm, and a D/t ratio of 2 or above, preferably 5 or above wherein D is the maximum diameter of the principal plane and t is the thickness perpendicular to the principal plane. According to the invention, anisotropically shaped ceramic particles useful as reactive templates for producing crystal-oriented alkali metal niobate ceramics can be obtained without troublesome production steps at a relatively low manufacturing cost.