Calculation scheme for electroelastic moduli of 0-3 piezocomposites

A model is advanced for 0-3 piezocomposites based on a generalisation of series and parallel analysis by a matrix method. The effective electroelastic moduli are predicted to deduce ultrasonic characteristics such as electromechanical coupling factor or longitudinal velocity. Particular cases are studied, such as 1-3 connectivity where Smith's results (1991) are obtained, due to the taking into account of mixed terms which introduce the effective anisotropy of the material. The effects of the polymer elastic stiffness on the properties of the 0-3 composites are also addressed and show that, for a given volume fraction, a stiff polymer is preferred to obtain a higher electromechanical coupling factor.