Sintering temperature has a pronounced effect on perovskite phase stability at the surface of Pb0.88Sr0.12Zr0.54Ti0.44Sb0.02O3 (PSZT) soft piezoelectric ceramics (d(33) approximate to 600 pC/N). After sintering 4 h at 1070degreesC, XRD reveals only perovskite PSZT peaks in the bulk and at the surface. As sintering temperature increases, XRD from the ceramic surface reveals a second-phase peak at similar to27degrees (2theta), 0.316 nm (d-spacing). After 4 h at 1280degreesC, further second-phase peaks are observed, confirming it to be monoclinic ZrO2 accompanied by a strong increase in the degree of tetragonality of the perovskite phase. These observations are consistent with decomposition of the PSZT to ZrO2, and tetragonal PZT (PbZrO3-PbTiO3) associated with PbO loss. SEM and cross-sectional TEM indicated that surface decomposition had progressed similar to0.5 nun into the sample after 4 h at 1280degreesC.