USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Michael J Haun

Robert E Newnham

Walter A Schulze, Jr

A composite of PZT (lead zirconate titanate) and a compliant polymer having 1-3-0 connectivity is described. A polymer self-connected in all three mutually perpendicular directions with a void in the center has an array of parallel PZT rod elements embedded therein and extending through the void. The void isolates a region of the PZT rods from the polymer. The axes of the PZT rods are along the direction of the poling electric field. Such an arrangement significantly enhances the hydrostatic piezoelectric charge and voltage coefficients d.sub.h and g.sub.h.

1-3-0 Connectivity piezoelectric composite with void

Piezoelectric PZT-polymer composites of 1-3 and 1-3-0 connectivity are trversely reinforced with glass fibers to increase the hydrostatic piezoelectric charge and voltage coefficients (d.sub.h and g.sub.h) for possible use in hydrophone applications. These composites consisted of a foamed (with porosity) or non-foamed (no porosity) polymer matrix with PZT rods aligned parallel to the poling direction and glass fibers in the remaining two transverse directions. Because of the small percentage of PZT required, these composites have densities near that of water, and much lower dielectric constants than solid PZT, resulting in large increases in the hydrostatic piezoelectric voltage coefficient g.sub.h. By increasing the d.sub.h and g.sub.h coefficients, the d.sub.h g.sub.h product, used as the figure of merit, is greatly enhanced.

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State College, PA, United States of America

Michael J Haun