Alexandria University Engineering

Faculty of Engineering Materials

Mechanical Engineering Department
Diploma

piezoelectric materials

Report
Presented to: Dr. Ibrahim El Fahham

Name: Mahmoud Ahmed Hassan Madi

2017
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 2
1.1 The History ...................................................................................................................... 2
1.2 The effect ......................................................................................................................... 2
1.2.1 No Piezoelectric effect .............................................................................................. 2
1.2.2 Piezoelectric effect .................................................................................................... 3
1.3 Some Piezoelectric materials ........................................................................................... 3
2 PZT ......................................................................................................................................... 4
3 POLARIZATION OF A CERAMIC ...................................................................................... 5
4 PIEZOELECTRIC EFFECT ................................................................................................... 6
5 HYSTERESIS CURVE FOR POLARIZATION ................................................................... 6
5 BUTTERFLY LOOP .............................................................................................................. 7
6 BASIC BEHAVIOUR OF A PIEZOELECTRIC CERAMIC BODY ................................... 7
6.1 Generator action ............................................................................................................... 7
6.2 Motor action ..................................................................................................................... 8
7 COMPARING PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIALS ................................................................. 8
8 MANUFACTURING OF PZT ............................................................................................... 9
9 POPULARITY OF PZT AND APPLICATIONS ................................................................ 10
10 APPLICATIONS OF PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIALS................................................... 10
10.1 Piezoelectric Generators .............................................................................................. 10
10.2 Piezoelectric Sensors ................................................................................................... 11
10.3 Piezo Actuators ............................................................................................................ 11
10.4 Piezoelectric Transducer .............................................................................................. 12
10.5 Power generating sidewalk .......................................................................................... 12
10.6 Floor mats and people powered dance clubs ............................................................... 12
11 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................... 13
 PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIALS
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 THE HISTORY
Piezoelectrics are materials that can create electricity when subjected to a mechanical stress.
They will also work in reverse, generating a strain by the application of an electric field.
The phenomenon was first discovered in 1880 when Pierre and Jacques Curie demonstrated
that when specially prepared crystals (such as quartz, topaz and Rochelle salt) were subjected
to a mechanical stress they could measure a surface charge. A year later, Gabriel Lippmann
deduced from thermodynamics that they would also exhibit a strain in an applied electric field.
The Curies later experimentally confirmed this effect and provided proof of the linear and
reversible nature of piezoelectricity.

One of the first applications of the piezoelectric effect was an ultrasonic submarine detector
developed during the First World War. A mosaic of thin quartz crystals glued between two
steel plates acted as a transducer that resonated at 50MHz. By submerging the device and
applying a voltage they succeeded in emitting a high frequency 'chirp' underwater, which
enabled them to measure the depth by timing the return echo. This was the basis for sonar and
the development encouraged other applications using piezoelectric devices both resonating and
non-resonating such as microphones, signal filters and ultrasonic transducers. However many
devices were not commercially viable due to the limited performance of the materials at the
time.

1.2 THE EFFECT

1.2.1 NO PIEZOELECTRIC EFFECT
Cubic, with a center of symmetry
Covalent bonds
The electric dipoles always add up to zero
1.2.2 PIEZOELECTRIC EFFECT
Lack of a center of symmetry
Ionic or partly ionic bonds
Strain shifts the relative positions of the positive and negative charges, giving rise to a
net electric dipole

1.3 SOME PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIALS

Man-made piezoelectric ceramics

Man-made piezoelectric polymers
The positive and negative charges are symmetrically distributed in crystals. Piezoelectric
ceramics are not piezoelectric until the random ferroelectric domains are aligned by a process
known as poling. Poling consists of inducing DC voltage across the material. When pressure
is applied to an object, a negative charge is produced on the expanded side and a positive charge
on the compressed side. Once the pressure is relieved electrical current flows through the
material.
A stress (tensile or compressive) applied to such a crystal will alter the separation between
the positive and negative charge sites in each elementary cell leading to a net polarization at
the crystal surface.

Practically linear that is the polarization varies directly with the applied stress.

Direction-dependent so that compressive and tensile stresses will generate

electric fields and hence voltages of opposite polarity.

Reciprocal so that if the crystal is exposed to an electric field, it will

experience an elastic strain causing its length to increase or decrease according to the
field polarity.

2 PZT
An important group of piezoelectric materials are the piezoelectric ceramics, of which PZT is
an example. These are polycrystalline ferroelectric materials with the perovskite crystal
structure.
PZT have the general formula:

A2+B1+02- 3 ,
A denotes a large divalent metal
ion such as barium or lead
B denotes a tetravalent metal ion
such as titanium or zirconium

Curie point can be thought of as the melting temperature of the piezoelectric

properties, because the material cannot sustain polarization at a temperature above the
Curie point.
 Above the Curie point Below the Curie point
Simple cubic symmetry. Tetragonal symmetry
Positive and negative charge sites
Positive and negative charge sites
coinciding, so there are no dipoles
no longer coincide, so each
present in the material
elementary cell then has a built-in
electric dipole which may be
reversed, and also switched to
certain allowed directions by the
application of an electric field

3 POLARIZATION OF A CERAMIC

Before the polarization electric dipoles in the artificial

piezoelectric materials composition are randomly oriented, so
the material does not exhibit the piezoelectric effect

When a strong electrical field is applied (i.e. poling treatment),

the electric dipoles reorient themselves and the material will also
lengthen in the direction of the field

Once the electric field is extinguished, the dipoles

maintain their orientation and the material then exhibit
the piezoelectric effect, so that an electrical voltage can
be recovered along any surface of the material when the
material is subjected to a mechanical stress. However, the
 alignment of the dipole moments may not be perfectly straight because
each domain may have several allowed directions.

4 PIEZOELECTRIC EFFECT
The electric field E and the polarization P are connected in a dielectric medium by the
relation:

D = () E + P.
() Permittivity of free space
D Electric displacement
E Electric field
P Polarization
For a ferroelectric material like PZT, however, P is itself a function of E.

5 HYSTERESIS CURVE FOR POLARIZATION

If an initially unpolarized sample of polarization does not fall back to

PZT is subjected to an increasing zero but to a value somewhat lower
electric field at a temperature than the saturation polarization
slightly below its Curie point, the known as the remanent
dipoles become increasing aligned polarization P r .
with the field and the polarization
will follow the initial curve.
When the field has increased
beyond a certain value, no further
increase in polarization will be
observed because the dipoles are
then all aligned with the field. The
material is then said to have reached
its saturation polarization P s .
If the field is now reduced to zero,
the dipoles become less strongly
aligned, however, they dont return
to their original alignment since
there are several preferred
directions within the crystallites and
they remain in the ones most closely
aligned with the original field. Since Dielectric hysteresis of a soft PZT. The
there is still, therefore, a very high electric displacement D(E) is obtained by
degree of alignment, the addition of () E to the polarization P(E) in
accordance with Eq. D = () E + P.
5 BUTTERFLY LOOP
It can be seen that this also exhibits a hysteresis effect corresponding precisely with the effect
observed for polarization.
Since the volume of the sample remains roughly constant, a relative increase (or decrease) in
S 3 will be accompanied by a relative decrease (or increase) in the sample's dimension
perpendicular to the field (S 1 and S 2 ) equal to about half the change in S 3 .

Mechanical deformation S 3 in the direction of polarization and field, as well as S 1 and S 2

normal to this direction as a
function of field strength for a soft PZT. The S 1 curve is based on measurement,
S 3 is given by S 3 -2S 1 : -2S 2 .

6 BASIC BEHAVIOUR OF A PIEZOELECTRIC CERAMIC BODY

6.1 GENERATOR ACTION
conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy
The cylinder under no-load conditions. If an external
force produces compressive or tensile strain in the
material, the resulting change in dipole moment causes
a voltage to appear between the electrodes.

If the cylinder is compressed so that it resumes its

original form, i.e. before poling, the voltage will have
the same polarity as the poling voltage.
 If it is stretched, the voltage across the electrodes will have
opposite polarity to the poling voltage.

6.2 MOTOR ACTION

conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy

If a voltage of opposite polarity to the poling voltage in applied

to the electrodes, the cylinder will shorten.

If the applied voltage has the same polarity as the poling

voltage, the cylinder will lengthen.

If an alternating voltage is applied to the electrodes, the cylinder

will grow and shrink at the same frequency as that of the applied
voltage.

7 COMPARING PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIALS

SOME PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIALS

Symbol Unit BaTiO 3 PZT PVDF

Density 103 /3 5,7 7,5 1,78

Relative permittivity / 0 1700 1200 12

Piezoelectric constant d 31 10-12 / 78 110 23

Voltage constant g 31 10-3 / 5 10 216

Electromechanical constant k 31 % 1 21 30 12
Man-made piezoelectric ceramics
Man-made piezoelectric polymers
The piezoelectric constant is lower for polymers as compared to ceramic based piezoelectric
materials.
When the same amount of voltage applied to polymer and ceramic piezoelectric
materials, the shape change of ceramic based materials are larger than polymers.
The piezoelectric voltage coefficient of PVDF is about 21 times higher than that of
PZT and 40 times higher than that of BaTiO 3 , therefore PVDF is better for sensor
applications.
The electromechanical coupling constants k 31 of PZT is approximately 2.5 times
larger than the electromechanical constant of PVDF which means it is able to convert
2.5 times more mechanical stress into electrical energy than that PVDF.

8 MANUFACTURING OF PZT

Batch Weighing
High-purity raw materials are evaluated, selected and sourced throughout the world. Selection
criteria, in addition to purity, include material activity and limits on specific deleterious
impurities. Once each material is selected and approved for use, it is precisely weighed,
according to the formulation being manufactured.
Wet Milling
These ingredients are wet-milled together in their proper proportions to achieve a uniform
particle size distribution. Precise control over particle size distribution is necessary to ensure
appropriate material activity during the calcination.
Drying
Following the wet milling process, the product is dried and prepared for calcining.
Calcining
The product must be calcined in high-purity crucibles to guarantee no chemical contaminants
are present in the final product. The calcining operation is carried out in air at about 1000,
where the desired PZT phase is formed.
Wet Milling and Binder Addiction
PZT powder is returned to the mill to ensure homogeneity and to prepare the material for the
addition of an organic binding agent.
Spray Drying
The binder-containing slurry is then fed to a spray dryer, where water is evaporated. The
purpose of spray drying the PZT powder material is to provide a free-flowing product in the
form of binder-containing hollow spheres with a narrow particle size distribution. The
morphology of the PZT material is crucial to consistently fill die cavities in the dry pressing
process when manufacturing piezoelectric ceramics.
Pressing to form green piezoelectric ceramic elements
The uniform PZT spheres of appropriate particle size distribution allow for air escapement
throughout the compaction process, yielding lamination-free green ceramic shapes.

9 POPULARITY OF PZT AND APPLICATIONS

PZT, lead zirconate titanate, is the most commonly used piezo ceramic today. In general,
piezo ceramics are the preferred choice because they are:
physically strong high dielectric constant
chemically inert high coupling factor
relatively inexpensive to high charge sensitivity
manufacture high density with a fine grain
greater sensitivity structure
high operating temperature (high a clean, noise-free frequency
Curie point) response

flow or level sensors

ultrasonic nondestructive
testing/evaluation (NDT/NDE)
applications
accurate inspections of automotive,
structural or aerospace products
ultrasonic cleaners
sonar devices

10 APPLICATIONS OF PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIALS

10.1 PIEZOELECTRIC GENERATORS
Piezoelectric ceramics can generate voltages sufficient to spark across an electrode gap, and
thus can be used as ignitors in fuel lighters, gas stoves, welding equipment, and other such
apparatus. Piezoelectric ignition systems are small and simple.
10.2 PIEZOELECTRIC SENSORS
A piezoelectric sensor converts a physical
parameter, such as acceleration or pressure,
into an electrical signal. In some sensors, the
physical parameter acts directly on
the piezoelectric element; in other devices,
an acoustical signal establishes vibrations in
the element and the vibrations are, in turn,
converted into an electrical signal. Often, the
system provides a visual, audible, or
physical response to the input from the
piezoelectric sensor (e.g. automobile
seatbelts lock in response to a rapid
deceleration, piezoelectric pickups for
electrically amplified guitars).

10.3 PIEZO ACTUATORS

A piezo actuator converts an electrical signal into a precisely controlled physical displacement,
to finely adjust precision machining tools, lenses, or mirrors. Actuators also are used to control
hydraulic valves, act as small-volume pumps or special-purpose motors, and in other
applications.
10.4 PIEZOELECTRIC TRANSDUCER
Piezoelectric transducers convert electrical energy into vibrational
mechanical energy (often sound or ultrasound) and vice versa.
Because the piezoelectric effect is reversible, a transducer can both
generate an ultrasound signal from electrical energy and convert
incoming sound into an electrical signal. Piezoelectric transducers
are used to generate ultrasonic vibrations for cleaning, atomizing
liquids, drilling or milling ceramics or other difficult materials,
welding plastics, medical diagnostics, integrated into park distance
control and other use.

10.5 POWER GENERATING SIDEWALK

Charging pads under the cross walk collect energy from the vibrations. Piezoelectric
charging panels channel energy to lithium ion batteries (which can be used further).

10.6 FLOOR MATS AND PEOPLE POWERED DANCE CLUBS

Series of crystals can be laid below the floor mats, tiles and carpets.
One footstep can only provide enough electrical current to light two 60watt bulbs for
one second.
When mob uses the dance floor, an enormous voltage is generated.
This energy is used to power the equipment of nightclubs.
11 REFERENCES
Alternative Resources for Renewable Energy: Piezoelectric and Photovoltaic Smart
Structures - D. Vatansever, E. Siores and T. Shah
Materials Science and Engineering An Introduction - William D. Callister, Jr.
Piezoelectricity: Basics and applications - Petar Jurcevic
http://didel.script.univ-paris-
diderot.fr/claroline/backends/download.php?url=L0FyY2hpdi90dXRvcmlhbF9waWV
6b18yLnBkZg%3D%3D&cidReset=true&cidReq=36UAHB543.
https://www.americanpiezo.com/
http://www.piceramic.com/piezo-technology/fundamentals.html
http://knowledge.ulprospector.com/2689/pe-piezoelectric-materials/
http://piezotechnologies.com/knowledge-desk

http://classroom.materials.ac.uk/casePiez.php