Variations of Thermoelectric and Mechanical Properties of Large Lead Telluride Samples Produced by a Short-Term Sintering Method

Although lead telluride is a widely used thermoelectric (TE) material for generator applications in the intermediate temperature range, its mechanical properties have not been fully understood yet. Especially sintered PbTe samples have hardly been investigated with regard to their mechanical properties and homogeneity in general. The aim of the present study is to comprehend the TE and mechanical properties of large PbTe samples produced by a short-term sintering process. The potential and Seebeck microprobe technique was used to reveal the spatial distribution of the Seebeck coefficient on the samples’ surfaces at room temperature. Microhardness measurements were performed with a Vickers indenter. The results demonstrate that, despite a homogeneous density, the functional and mechanical properties vary along the samples, which is attributed to varying local parameters during sintering.