The phase formation of ultrafine lead titanate powders prepared via a rapid vibro-milling technique has been investigated by thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction. The results showed that single-phase PbTiO3 (PT) nanopowders were successfully obtained for a calcination condition of 550 degreesC for 4 h with heating/cooling rates of 20 degreesC/min. The increased firing temperature was found to play a significant role in the formation of the perovskite phase. SEM results showed that the platelet morphology PT particles have a size of around 75-385 nm. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier B.V.