Morgan Technical Ceramics launches new high-performance piezoelectric material

This new material is suitable for a wide range of demanding and challenging applications in both emerging and existing technologies. Its high density and low porosity mean the material can be used for machining 1-3 composite structures in highly sensitive sonar and medical ultrasonic transducers, as well as high-performance actuators, specialist sensors and energy harvesting devices.

Using an innovative new core process, Morgan Technical Ceramics manufactures the material to offer optimised voltage charge coefficients. Its high d33 rating improves the electrical charge generated in energy harvesting applications, while its high d31 coefficient enhances the levels of displacement in actuators.

PZT5K1 components can be manufactured in a wide range of geometries and dimensions, with Morgan Technical Ceramics offering the capability to tailor solutions to meet individual requirements. Bimorph components are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, as squares, rectangles and discs. Sizes range from 6mm to 74mm in length and 1mm to 43mm in width. Discs and components up to 254mm in diameter can be manufactured in an extensive range of thicknesses, between 3mm and 35mm.

Components are typically supplied with fired-on silver electrodes as standard to ensure good adhesion for soldering and bonding, and to a thickness which provides assured durability for the planned application. Other metallisation options include thin nickel electrodes to further improve coupling coefficients, while enhancing the sensitivity of sensor devices.

Fred Pimparel, Piezo Technical Manager at Morgan Technical Ceramics, said: “Our new PZT5K1 material offers new application possibilities for both existing and emerging technology markets, meeting growing customer demands for precision sensors, transducers and actuators across a wide range of applications and industries.”