Method for producing ink-jet head and ink-jet head

Abstract

A method for producing an ink-jet head includes forming a buffer layer on an upper surface of a vibration plate, and forming a piezoelectric precursor layer on an entire upper surface of a surface layer, the piezoelectric precursor layer being converted into a piezoelectric sheet. The buffer layer is formed of a material with which mutual diffusion between the piezoelectric precursor layer and the buffer layer is hardly caused as compared with mutual diffusion between the piezoelectric precursor layer and the vibration plate with which no buffer layer is provided. A stack, in which the buffer layer and the piezoelectric precursor layer are formed, is heated at a predetermined temperature, and the piezoelectric precursor layer is calcinated to form the piezoelectric sheet. It is possible to suppress the deterioration of the performance of the piezoelectric member.

1 . A method for producing an ink-jet head, comprising the steps of: 
 manufacturing a flow passage unit including a vibration plate which is made of metal, an ink chamber which is closed by the vibration plate, and a nozzle which is communicated with the ink chamber and which discharges an ink;    forming a first buffer layer on the vibration plate;    forming a piezoelectric precursor on the first buffer layer; and    heating the flow passage unit, the first buffer layer, and the piezoelectric precursor so that the piezoelectric precursor is calcinated into a piezoelectric member, wherein:    the first buffer layer is formed of a metal material with which mutual diffusion between the first buffer layer and the piezoelectric precursor during the heating is less than mutual diffusion between the piezoelectric precursor and the vibration plate when the heating is performed without the first buffer layer.    
     
     
         2 . The method for producing the ink-jet head according to  claim 1 , further comprising, before the heating step, a step of forming, on the first buffer layer, a second buffer layer formed of a metal material with which mutual diffusion between the second buffer layer and the piezoelectric precursor during the heating is less than the mutual diffusion between the vibration plate and the piezoelectric precursor when the heating is performed without the second buffer layer.  
     
     
         3 . The method for producing the ink-jet head according to  claim 2 , wherein the second buffer layer has oxidation resistance which is equivalent to or greater than that of the vibration plate.  
     
     
         4 . The method for producing the ink-jet head according to  claim 1 , wherein the vibration plate is formed of one material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, titanium, and 42 Alloy, and the heating is performed in the heating step at a temperature of 600° C. to 900° C.  
     
     
         5 . The method for producing the ink-jet head according to  claim 1 , wherein the first buffer layer is formed of one material selected from the group consisting of nickel, platinum, and gold.  
     
     
         6 . The method for producing the ink-jet head according to  claim 1 , wherein the first buffer layer is formed of nickel.  
     
     
         7 . The method for producing the ink-jet head according to  claim 3 , wherein the second buffer layer is formed of gold.  
     
     
         8 . The method for producing the ink-jet head according to  claim 1 , wherein the first buffer layer has a thickness of not less than 2 μm.  
     
     
         9 . A method for producing an ink-jet head, comprising the steps of: 
 manufacturing a flow passage unit including a vibration plate which is made of metal, an ink chamber which is closed by the vibration plate, and a nozzle which is communicated with the ink chamber and which discharges an ink;    forming a nickel layer on the vibration plate;    forming a gold layer on the nickel layer;    forming a piezoelectric precursor on the gold layer; and    heating the flow passage unit, the nickel layer, the gold layer, and the piezoelectric precursor at a temperature of 600° C. to 900° C. so that the piezoelectric precursor is calcinated into a piezoelectric member.    
     
     
         10 . The method for producing the ink-jet head according to  claim 9 , wherein the vibration plate is formed of one material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, titanium, and 42 Alloy.  
     
     
         11 . An ink-jet head comprising: 
 a flow passage unit which includes a vibration plate made of metal, an ink chamber closed by the vibration plate, and a nozzle communicated with the ink chamber to discharge an ink;    a first buffer layer which is formed on the vibration plate; and    a piezoelectric member which is formed on the first buffer layer and which is obtained by calcinating a piezoelectric precursor, wherein:    the first buffer layer is formed of a metal material with which mutual diffusion between the piezoelectric precursor and the first buffer layer during heating for the calcination is less than mutual diffusion between the piezoelectric precursor and the vibration plate when the heating is performed without the first buffer layer.    
     
     
         12 . The ink-jet head according to  claim 11 , further comprising a second buffer layer which is formed between the first buffer layer and the piezoelectric member and which is formed of a metal material with which mutual diffusion between the second buffer layer and the piezoelectric precursor during the heating is less than the mutual diffusion between the vibration plate and the piezoelectric precursor when the heating is performed without the second buffer layer.  
     
     
         13 . The ink-jet head according to  claim 11 , wherein the second buffer layer has oxidation resistance which is equivalent to or greater than that of the vibration plate.  
     
     
         14 . The ink-jet head according to  claim 11 , wherein the vibration plate is formed of one material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, titanium, and 42 Alloy.  
     
     
         15 . The ink-jet head according to  claim 11 , wherein the first buffer layer is formed of one material selected from the group consisting of nickel, platinum, and gold.  
     
     
         16 . The ink-jet head according to  claim 12 , wherein the second buffer layer is formed of gold.  
     
     
         17 . The ink-jet head according to  claim 11 , wherein the first buffer layer has a thickness of not less than 2 μm.  
     
     
         18 . An ink-jet printer comprising the ink-jet head as defined in  claim 11.