PMN-PT Piezoelectric-Electrostrictive Monolithic Multi-material Composite Actuator

Monolithic Multi-Material piezoelectric-electrostrictive (PE-ES) composite actuators were developed by co-sintering of 0.65PMN-0.35PT and 0.9PMN-0.1PT. The piezoelectric and electrostrictive ceramic powder were dry pressed into bi-layer disks with 1:1 ratio. The bi-layer composites were co-sintered and then poled. The monolithic bi-layer PE-ES composites (either flat or dome) were used to fabricate cymbal actuator. Experimental results indicate that uncapped bilayer dome shaped actuators provide strong interface and exhibits peak displacement as high as 14 square m at 10 kV/cm Cymbal actuators fabricated using such dome bi-layer composite results in amplified-displacement with a peak value of 25 square m at 10 kV/cm.