A model previously developed for pure 0-3 connectivity piezocomposites has been extended to 3-3 connectivity. This matrix method allows the prediction of the effective electroelastic moduli of a piezocomposite according to its connectivity. It is used to optimize composite performance by choosing the optimal constituents for each phase. A simple combination of the results for 0-3 and 3-3 connectivities allows the effective proportion of 3-3 connectivity to be defined in highly loaded 0-3 piezocomposites. This theoretical analysis has been used to evaluate effective proportions of 3-3 connectivity in five composite samples. The values obtained are shown to be a function of the ceramic volume fraction and fabrication process. The results of this study were used to optimize the fabrication process.

During the last 30 yrs, PVDF has been used extensively as a sensor material. Over this period, the GEC-Marconi Research Centre has developed a wide range of devices based on PVDF as a piezoelectric transducer material. The ability to create laminated structures has led to an enhancement in performance and has allowed innovative designs to be realized. This paper describes the development of the laminated PVDF structure and its benefits, such as increased sensitivity and improved signal to noise ratio. Examples of devices utilizing the lamination process are given in the form of both a bilaminar-shielded membrane hydrophone and a PVDF sonar hydrophone. Performance properties of both types of hydrophones are presented along with a discussion of their use as secondary standard hydrophones at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL).

The surface acoustic wave (SAW) properties, i.e., free surface wave velocity, surface coupling coefficient, and static surface permittivity, of a lead titanate composition modified with an additive of samarium and processed by hydrothermal synthesis are determined. The effective permittivity of the piezoelectric ceramic was calculated, and the SAW properties were extracted from the analysis of the curve. In particular, the relations between the square coupling coefficient, the effective permittivity, and the usual definition k2s=2ΔV/V are discussed. In parallel, experimental measurements of the SAW properties were carried out by developing a curve-fitting algorithm on the real and imaginary parts of a unapodized single electrode SAW transducer. A free surface wave velocity of 2595 m/s, a coupling coefficient of 1.8%, and a static permittivity of 196 are found which were predicted by the analysis of the effective permittivity curves. The SAW properties of a Y+128° cut lithium niobate single crystal are also presented and are in agreement with those found in literature. These results are discussed and suggest that the present ceramic has the potential as a substrate for SAW devices.

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