The　bulk　dense　ceramics,　FeTiTaO6　and　AlTiTaO6,　with　rutile　structure　have　been　prepared　by　the　improved　mixed　oxide　method.　A　broad　dielectric　anomaly　coupled　with　the　shift　in　dielectric　maxima　toward　a　higher　temperature　with　increasing　frequency　has　been　observed　in　FeTiTaO6　ceramic,　confirming　the　existence　of　relaxor　ferroelectric　behavior.　In　contrast,　no　ferroelectric　transition　can　be　observed　in　AlTiTaO6　ceramic,　indicating　it　is　indeed　a　paraelectric.　Compared　to　inert　Al3+　ion,　Fe3+　ion　can　form　strong　hybridization　with　surrounding　oxygen　due　to　the　3d(5)　configurations,　which　permits　a　larger　tetragonal　distortion　and　induces　the　ferroelectric　behavior　in　rutile　oxides.　(C)　2011　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.