Modeling resonance tests for electrostrictive ceramics

The electromechanical coupling coefficient represents a useful figure-of-merit for comparing the quality of different electroactive materials. However, the coupling coefficient for an electrostrictive ceramic is not a unique material parameter, because it depends strongly on the applied DC bias field, AC field amplitude and frequency, and stress. These dependencies make direct comparison between electrostrictors and piezoelectrics somewhat ambiguous. In this paper, we developed a pair of coupling parameters for electrostrictors that were strictly material constants and completely characterized the material's electromechanical quality. We proposed relatively simple, inexpensive resonance testing to measure these new parameters from the electrical admittance of a vibrating electrostrictive rod. The electromechanical coupling coefficient for a specific loading condition is computed from these parameters, allowing direct comparison between electrostrictive and piezoelectric materials.