The LiTaO3 powders with sub micrometer grade grain size have been synthesized successfully using a molten salt method. Lithium tantalate began to form at 400 degrees C reaction temperature and transformed to pure phase without residual reactants when it was processed at 500 degrees C for 4 h in static air. The undoped LiTaO3 ceramics with a Curie temperature about 663 degrees C were obtained by pressureless sintering at 1300 degrees C for 3 h. The relative dielectric constant (epsilon(r)) increases from 50 to 375 at temperature ranging from 30 to 663 degrees C and then decreases quickly as the temperature increases above 663 degrees C. The ceramics shows a relative dielectric constant of 49.4, a dielectric loss factor (tan delta) of 0.007, a coercive field (Ec) of 28.66 kV/cm and a remnant polarization (Pr) of 32.48 mu C/cm(2) at room temperature. (C) 2014 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.