High strength piezoelectric materials for extreme environments

Abstract

Most piezoelectric sensors are based on PZT and have been for many years. PZT and all conventional piezoelectric materials are weak, and prone to fracture. In addition, PZT is not able to withstand high temperatures. High temperature materials are available, but these are also extremely fragile and have low piezoelectric coefficients, in particular, the shear mode sensitivity. We report here on a new class of piezoelectric materials, the Ionix HPZ family, far stronger than PZT, which allows engineers to use them in a high shock environment, at significantly higher temperatures, in both thickness and shear mode. These materials have excellent compatibility with other engineering materials in sensor manufacture, such as steel and titanium.