Patent ID: 6964718

Claim:
A method of preparing a multilayer piezoelectric device with alternating piezoelectric ceramic layers and base metal layers as electrods comprising the steps of: (a) applying onto a first layer, which includes a piezoelectric ceramic material selected from the group consisting of PZT, PMN, bismuth-based piezoelectric materials, and lead-free ceramics based on BaTiO 3 and a first combination of organic materials, a second layer, which includes a base metal powder having particles, which are coated with material capable of protecting said base metal against oxidiation, and a second combination of organic materials, to produce a first structure; (b) applying onto said first structure a second structure, which is identical to said first structure to produce a multilayer structure; (c) heating said multilayer structure at a temperature less than 600° C. to remove said first and second combinations of organic materials and their decompisition products to levels below 200 ppm; and thereafter (d) sintering at a temperature from about 600° C. to about 1050° C. at a partial pressure of oxygen from about 10 −3 to 10 −15 atm to produce said multilayer piezoelectric ceramic layers and base metal layers as electrodes.