NPL assesses the degradation of piezoelectric materials

Citation

(1999), "NPL assesses the degradation of piezoelectric materials", Sensor Review, Vol. 19 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.1999.08719cab.008

NPL assesses the degradation of piezoelectric materials

NPL assesses the degradation of piezoelectric materials

Keywords Piezoelectric

Technical reports evaluating the behaviour of piezoelectric materials designed for continuous operation within demanding environments are now available from NPL.

The reports describe the response of piezoelectric materials to mechanical and electrical stressing to determine how their properties degrade with time.

Research programmes, supported by the UK's Department of Trade and Industry and the European Commission, are developing techniques for quantifying the degradation of these materials under typical service conditions (see Plate 1).

Plate 1 NPL develops techniques for measuring the degradation of piezoelectric materials under typical service conditions

The work has produced models to describe the fatigue associated with high mechanical cyclic stress on hard and soft composition piezoelectric ceramic materials. Finite element models have predicted the strain response (due to the applied electric field) of two piezoelectric devices: an interdigitated electrode device and a bimorph transducer.

The study has used a variety of techniques including resonance, dielectric spectroscopy, acoustics and thermal imaging to monitor degradation. The combination of adopting various complementary methods allows the development of better materials and products.

Further details on obtaining a copy of the reports may be obtained from: Markys Cain, National Physical Laboratory, Queens Road, Teddington, United Kingdom TWI 10LW. Tel: +44 (0)181 943 6599; Fax: +44 (0)181 943 2989; E-mail: markys.cain@npl.co.uk