This article covers the six most common types of piezoelectric materials, including their properties and applications, for a better understanding of their potential uses.
Piezoelectric materials are those materials that can convert mechanical pressure or stress into electrical energy and vice versa. The piezoelectric effect is the property that enables these materials to produce electric charges when subjected to mechanical stress and mechanical deformation when subjected to an electric field. The effect is reversible and is essential in many applications, such as sensors, actuators, and energy harvesting devices. In this article, we will discuss the six most common types of piezoelectric materials.
Ferroelectric ceramics
Ferroelectric ceramics are the most commonly used piezoelectric materials. They are made of lead zirconate titanate (PZT), a solid solution of lead zirconate and lead titanate. Ferroelectric ceramics have high piezoelectric coefficients, high electromechanical coupling factors, and high Curie temperatures. They are used in many applications, including ultrasonic transducers, piezoelectric actuators, and sensors.
Polymer piezoelectric materials
Polymer piezoelectric materials are a type of piezoelectric material made of polymers. They have low piezoelectric coefficients but are flexible, lightweight, and easy to shape. Polymer piezoelectric materials are used in applications where flexibility is required, such as wearable devices, medical sensors, and energy harvesting.
Single crystal piezoelectric materials
Single crystal piezoelectric materials are materials made of a single crystal. They have high piezoelectric coefficients, high electromechanical coupling factors, and low hysteresis. Single crystal piezoelectric materials are used in applications where high precision and stability are required, such as high-frequency resonators and oscillators.
Ceramic piezoelectric materials
Ceramic piezoelectric materials are materials made of ceramics. They have high piezoelectric coefficients, high Curie temperatures, and low hysteresis. Ceramic piezoelectric materials are used in applications such as ultrasonic transducers, actuators, and sensors.
Quartz crystal piezoelectric materials
Quartz crystal piezoelectric materials are materials made of quartz crystals. They have high piezoelectric coefficients, low hysteresis, and high Q factors. Quartz crystal piezoelectric materials are used in applications such as high-frequency filters, oscillators, and sensors.
