Abstract
The densification behavior of a low-fire, polycrystalline Bi <sub>2</sub> (Zn <sub>1/3</sub> Nb <sub>2/3</sub> ) <sub>2</sub> O <sub>7</sub> (BZN) dielectric under constrained sintering at 800°C-900°C is investigated. Although the constrained densification is retarded in relative to free sintering, a high sintered density of >95% is obtained at 900°C. No significant anisotropy with similar grain sizes is developed under free and constrained sintering. The densification behavior and stress development during constrained sintering of BZN is thus analyzed by using the well-known isotropic constitutive laws.