The lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ferroelectric ceramics was sintered using microwave sintering and conventional sintering technique, respectively. The formation of single phase was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. It has been observed that the microwave sintered PZT ceramics show better densification, fine and uniform grain size, higher dielectric constant and improved piezoelectric coefficient constant d(33). The dielectric properties were studied as a function of frequency and temperature. This promising technique has distinguished characteristics of energy-saving, rapid processing and uniform temperature distribution throughout the sample. The values of remnant polarization, P-r, and spontaneous polarization. P-s, are slightly higher for microwave sintered sample. The value of E-c in the microwave sintered sample is low and this property was desirable for device fabrication of PZT-based smart structures. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.