Patent ID: 8857413

Claim:
A multi-layer piezoelectric element, comprising: a columnar stacked body comprising an active portion comprising a plurality of piezoelectric layers and a plurality of internal electrode layers alternately laminated, and inactive portions comprising a plurality of piezoelectric layers laminated, the inactive portions arranged at both ends in a stacked direction of the active portion; and a pair of external electrodes arranged on side faces of the columnar stacked body, the pair of external electrodes electrically connected to the internal electrode layers alternately, wherein in at least one interlayer portion of the piezoelectric layers of the inactive portions, there are metal particles having a particle size smaller than that of piezoelectric ceramic particles forming the piezoelectric layers of the inactive portions, and the metal particles are scattered in a range including a region in which the internal electrode layers overlap each other when viewed in the stacked direction of the columnar stacked body.