Fabrication of polymer-piezoceramic composites

This paper presents processing technique used to produce 3-3 polymer- piezoceramic composites in which both polymer and ceramic phases are interconnected tri-dimensionally. Polystyrene grains were added to suspensions of PZT powder then slightly heated in a dryer to obtain a pasty mixture which then was moulded in a die at low pressure. Once the mixture was fully dried, it was subjected to a slow heat treatment (pyrolysis) to remove the polymeric sacrificial phase and a porous uncooked ceramic was left which was then fired at high temperatures to achieve sintering. The porous ceramic was infiltrated by polyester as well as epoxy resins to form the composite. Cutting, polishing, electrode plating, polarization and piezoelectrical tests as well as microstructural investigations were carried out.

Keywords:

piezoceramic , composite , polymer , PZT , porous