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Thermo-mechanical stress effect on 1-3 piezocomposite power transducer performance
C Richard1, H S Lee, D Guyomar
1LGEF, INSA--Laboratoire de Génie Electrique et Ferroélectricité, Bat G. Ferrié, 20 avenue A. Einstein, 69621 Villeurbanne Cedex, France. claude.richard@insa-lyon.fr
Ultrasonics
|March 30, 2004
Summary
This study explores piezoelectric composite transducers, achieving up to 95% efficiency. Improved thermal stability was demonstrated, showing a breakdown mechanism influenced by thermally induced stress in PZT materials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Acoustics
- Electrical Engineering
Background:
- Piezoelectric composite transducers are crucial for power applications.
- High glass-rubber transition temperature epoxy resins are desirable for thermal stability.
- Understanding material interactions is key to optimizing transducer performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the emission performance and thermal stability of 1-3 piezoelectric composite power transducers.
- To analyze the influence of PZT volume fraction, resin type, and fabrication on transducer efficiency and temperature.
- To identify the thermal breakdown mechanism in these composites.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of 1-3 piezoelectric composites using "dice and fill" technique with hard PZT (Navy III) and high-Tg epoxy resins.
- Evaluation of emission performance under isothermal conditions at low duty cycles.
- Assessment of thermal stability under long duty cycle or continuous emission, monitoring temperature and radiated pressure.
- Analysis of composite mechanical losses and their relation to temperature and PZT material properties.
Main Results:
- Achieved up to 95% efficiency at low duty cycles with input power densities up to 60 W/cm(2).
- Demonstrated strong dependence of efficiency and working temperature on resin type and PZT material.
- Investigated a composite configuration with improved thermal stability, exceeding 90°C and operating at 30-40 W/cm(2).
- Identified thermally induced stress significantly influencing PZT mechanical losses and contributing to premature thermal breakdown.
Conclusions:
- The choice of epoxy resin and PZT material critically impacts transducer efficiency and thermal performance.
- Thermally induced stresses play a significant role in the mechanical losses of PZT ceramics within the composite.
- Understanding and mitigating these stresses is essential for enhancing the operational temperature range and preventing premature thermal breakdown in piezoelectric composites.