Effects of face plates and edge strips on hydrostatic piezoelectric response of 1-3 composites

Abstract

Piezoceramic-polymer composites with 1–3 connectivity provide higher hydrostatic figure of merit d_hg_h , and low density, which make them attractive for underwater applications. By incorporating rigid face plates on the composite electrode surfaces, the transverse piezoelectric response can be reduced effectively and d_h increased significantly. When edge strips are put on the lateral dimensions, the hydrostatic response of the composite may be further improved, depending on the ratio of the sample thickness to the sample lateral dimensions and the elastic properties of the edge strips. In this work the effects of the rigid face plates and the edge strips on the piezoelectric response of 1–3 composites with different lateral dimensions were investigated. All the experimental features can be well accounted for by using the shear-coupling model developed recently by us and the isostrain model. Based on these results the relationship between the d_h of the face plated 1–3 composite and the elastic properties of the polymer matrix as well as other design parameters is derived, which can serve as a guideline to optimize the material selection for 1–3 composites with larger hydrostatic response.

Key Words:

• Piezocomposite
• hydrostatic piezoelectricity
• mechanical properties