Piezoelectric materials for high-temperature operation

London – Based on the proven properties of lead zirconate titanate (PZT), the new materials are suitable for both vibration and pressure sensing for applications in process & plant control, power generation, automotive, and aerospace.

 

Also for long-term non-destructive testing (NDT), they allow in-situ continuous fault detection at temperatures of up to 250ºC.

 

Previous materials of this kind have had to offer a compromise between piezoelectric activity and maximum operating temperature, with rapid thermal degradation taking place at temperatures above 200ºC.

 

However, the new products are temperature-stable and rated for continuous use at up to 250ºC with an intermittent maximum of 300ºC. Available in tailored formulations, they boast piezoelectric charge coefficients (d33) exceeding 400pc/N. 

 

The use of modifying dopants to produce both soft and hard materials enables further customization of performance attributes, extending performance boundaries.

 

Testing has also shown resistivity at elevated temperatures, enabling a large sensing bandwidth in high-sensitivity applications.

 

Paul Turnbull of Morgan Advanced Materials explained: “In-house testing of the new materials has shown that at 250ºC, the decrease in piezoelectric properties is negligible, making this technology suitable for a far broader range of applications. This temperature stability is highly significant in sectors where continuous operation or prolonged electrical/stress/cycling is vital to device construction and operation.”

 

Morgan offers in-house fabrication capabilities for the manufacture of products with diameters between 200µm and 200mm.