Alliedsignal Inc.

Theodore Robert Kazmar

Ray H Baughman

Zafar Iqbal

Changxing Cui

David Keith Dahlstrom

This invention relates to compositions and processes for the fabrication of piezoelectric composites having improved figures of merit for both sensor and non-sensor applications. These composites comprise piezoelectric particles embedded in a polymer matrix. The improvements of this invention result from discoveries of the effects of polymer bulk compliance, polymer anisotropy, polymer melt index, and polymer/ceramic wettability on performance. The loss corrected figure of merit (g.sub.h d.sub.h /tan.delta.) obtained for the 0-3 composites is as high as 10.5.times.10.sup.-10 m.sup.2 /N, which is about four times higher than previously published for 0-3 composites of the prior art. Methods are described for the introduction of anisotropy into ceramic particle/polymer composites, so that cancellation effects that degrade the piezoelectric properties of composites can be reduced.

Piezoelectrics and related devices from ceramics dispersed in polymers

Methods and compositions are described for the preparation of piezoelectric ceramic-polymer composites having improved properties for application in piezoelectric devices. These composites consist of piezoelectric particles embedded in a polymer matrix. The improvements of this invention result from discoveries of the effects of particle size, particle size dispersity, volumetric loading levels, ceramic dielectric constant, and polymer dielectric constant on performance. Various improved devices based on these compositions are also described.

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Santa Clarita, CA, United States of America

Theodore Robert Kazmar