Acoustic Transduction - Materials and Devices, Period 31 July 1996 to 31 December 1997, Annual Report. Volume 6.
Abstract
In Material Studies, undoubtedly major breakthroughs have occurred in the ultra- high strain relaxor ferroelectric systems. Earlier reports of unusual piezoelectric activity in single crystal perovskite relaxors have been amply confirmed in the lead zinc niobate: lead titanate, and lead magnesium niobate : lead titanate systems for compositions of rhombohedral symmetry close to the Morphotropic Phase Boundary (MPB) in these solid solutions. Analysis of the unique properties of 001 field poled rhombohedral ferroelectric crystals suggests new intrinsic mechanisms for high strain and carries the first hints of how to move from lead based compositions. A major discovery of comparable importance is a new mode of processing to convert PVDF:TrFE copolymer piezoelectric into a relaxor ferroelectric in which electrostrictive strains of 4% have been demonstrated at high fields. Both single crystal and polymer relaxors appear to offer energy densities almost order of magnitude larger than in earlier polycrystal ceramic actuators. Transducer Studies have continued to exploit the excellent sensitivity and remarkable versatility of the cymbal type flextensional element. Initial studies of a small cymbal arrays show excellent promise in both send and receive modes, and larger arrays are now under construction for tests at ARL. New studies in constrained layer vibration damping and in flow noise reduction are yielding exciting new results. In Actuator Studies, an important advance in piezoelectric generated noise control now permits wider use of acoustic emission as a reliability diagnostic technique. Joint studies with NRL, Washington have developed a completely new d15 driven torsional actuator and the CAV program element has designed an exciting high strain high force inchworm. Finite element analysis continues to be an important tool for understanding the more complex composite structures and their beam forming capability in water
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA353876
Entities
People
- Kenji Uchino
Organizations
- Pennsylvania State University