Elastic anomalies associated with transformation sequences in perovskites: I. Strontium zirconate, SrZrO(3)

Elastic behaviour associated with the hierarchy of tilting transitions in SrZrO(3) has been examined using resonant ultrasound spectroscopy on a ceramic sample at temperatures between 153 and 1531 K. Changes in slope of the evolution of resonance frequencies with temperature indicate that phase transitions occur at 1038 K ([Formula: see text]), 1122 K ([Formula: see text]), and 1367 K ([Formula: see text]). Strain analysis of previously recorded neutron diffraction data shows that the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] transitions are close to tricritical in character, and that [Formula: see text] is first order. Deviations from the form of the elastic behaviour predicted by Landau theory are found. In particular, elastic softening in the vicinity of the [Formula: see text] transition suggests that local dynamical fluctuations between individual tilt systems occur, rather than a discontinuous switch from one phase to another. Determinations of the mechanical quality factor, Q, show that SrZrO(3) in the [Formula: see text] phase is a classically high-Q (i.e. non-dissipating) cubic material. I4/mcm and Imma phases both have much greater dissipation (low Q), which is tentatively attributed to the mobility of twin walls. The room temperature Pnma phase is unexpectedly much stiffer than both I4/mcm and Imma phases and has high Q. It appears that when two separate tilt systems operate, as in Pnma, they can interact to reduce strain/order parameter relaxations.