Barium titanate (BT) has become one of the most important electroceramics since the discovery of its varied applications. Because of these important applications, there has been a great deal of interest in both the fabrication and the electrical properties of modified BT-based ceramics. Ba 0.8Pb 0.2TiO 3 (BPT) ferroelectric ceramic was prepared by the conventional ceramic method. X-ray diffraction and SEM confirmed single-phase BPT. Temperature variations of dielectric constant, dielectric loss, longitudinal modulus and internal friction were measured. The electrical properties of BT-based ceramics depend strongly on both microstructure and composition. Dielectric properties and mechanical properties have been discussed in relation to phase transitions. � 2010 The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.