Detection of Indentation Induced FE‐to‐AFE Phase Transformation in Lead Zirconate Titanate

Instrumented indentation was combined with microscopy and spectroscopy analysis to investigate the local mechanically induced ferroelectric to anti‐ferroelectric phase transformation of niobium‐modified lead zirconate titanate 95/5. Indentation experiments to a depth of 2 μm were performed using a Berkovich pyramidal three‐sided diamond tip. Subsequent Raman spectroscopy and piezoelectric force microscopy revealed that indentation locally induced the ferroelectric to antiferroelectric phase transformation. Piezoelectric force microscopy demonstrated the ability to map the individual phases within and near indented regions on the niobium‐modified lead zirconate titanate ceramics.