Barium titanate-silver composites were manufactured with silver contents ranging from 0 wt.% to 30 wt.%. The electrical properties were systematically characterised in terms of relative permittivity, conductivity, piezoelectric properties (d(33), d(31) and coupling coefficient), polarisation-field measurements and electrical breakdown strength. The electrical properties are strongly influenced by the conducting phase, with an increase in relative permittivity, conductivity, coercive field and remnant polarisation measured. A decrease in breakdown strength and piezoelectric coefficients were observed. (c) 2006 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc.