High Temperature and Sensitivity – Simplified
Piezoelectric materials are of significant interest for use in precision and ultrasonic applications due to the high resolution, quick response times, large force generation and low power requirements.
Lead zirconium titanate (PZT) is the ubiquitous material for these devices, with the maximum operating temperature of the device derived from a combination of the drive conditions, operating duration, environment, and specific material composition.
The Problem with PZT
High temperature piezoelectric materials, with a Curie temperature (Tc) > 500 °C, generally deliver low piezoelectric activity, high production costs and low mechanical strength. These materials are generally considered to be unsuitable for some applications, such as actuators. Ionix Advanced Technologies have developed the HPZ family of piezoceramics which demonstrates both a Curie temperature close to that of bismuth titanate and a higher piezoelectric activity than lead metaniobate.
In general, for piezoelectric materials, the room temperature piezoelectric activity and the Curie temperature have an inverse relationship. The HPZ series of materials occupies both high Curie temperature and high piezoelectric activity.
Due to both the high Curie temperature and large piezoelectric activity, HPZ is a prime candidate for many high temperature applications.
What Makes HPZ Work?
Having a high and low temperature whilst also having a high sensitivity is important. Also, because it has many similarities to PZT (such as the density and stiffness) you can easily swap out PZT for HPZ. Working alongside Ionix engineers, you arrive quickly to a solution that works for your application.
Some of the key benefits include:
- A similar activity or sensitivity to PZT allows our customers to use their existing electronics/software and cabling/harness.
- Plug and play – the same piezo shape and form. Avoid pushing integration costs into another part of the process or device or system, eg. drive circuits.
- Rapid development and time to market.
Where can it be used?
High temperature materials are of interest to a number of sectors, such as chemical, oil & gas and aerospace. However, current piezoelectric materials do not exhibit the combination of properties to allow for efficient, reliable and reproducible high temperature operation. Ionix HPZ ceramics, on the other hand, have a wider operating temperature range as well as higher sensitivity meaning that Ionix materials could be the perfect solution within any of the sectors mentioned above in an array of applications such as actuators, flow sensors and ultrasonic transducers.
If you would like to know more about our Ionix HPZ ceramic material, please get in contact with a member off for the team: https://ionixadvancedtechnologies.co.uk/contact-us-ionix-advanced-technologies/