The piezoelectric and mechanical properties we engineer into our proprietary materials make them suitable for a wide range of applications spanning sensors, actuators and transducers.
Have a look at some our example applications below.
We typically supply our ceramics to multinational technology providers who develop and sell products to a diverse range of industries, including nuclear, oil & gas and aerospace. Our expertise in dissimilar material bonding makes us ideal for manufacturing ceramic subcomponents to the specific requirements of our customers, specifically for extreme environments where conventional solutions fail. Some of the main current applications cover a range of advanced sensor, actuator and transducer products.
These devices use the piezoelectric capability of the material to convert a mechanical impulse to an electrical signal. This can be used to pick up vibrations of the medium the device is in or movement of the material itself and convert that into a quantifiable signal. Examples of these devices include accelerometers, energy harvesters and acoustic emission sensors.
HPC Piezoelectric Coating
These devices employ both the “sensing” and “actuation” modes of the piezoelectric material. This can be used to both send and receive a vibration or acoustic signal through a range of different mediums, using the time of the reflection to determine the distance or the speed of the medium. Examples of this are in every day items such as automotive parking sensors and medical ultrasound imaging, but also in extreme application such as ultrasonic non-destructive testing for the detection and monitoring of corrosion, cracks and weld defects.
Continuous Monitoring Transducer
These devices use a voltage applied to the piezoelectric ceramic to modify the thickness. The movement, or stroke, is very small, therefore to produce a useful change in thickness, amplification is required. Amplification can be achieved through formation of stacks, multiple layers bonded together, or through device design. Compared to other types of actuator, such as magnetic or pneumatic, piezoelectric devices are extremely fast and can generate high forces. Examples of these devices are modern diesel fuel injectors and nano-positioning stages.
Piezoelectric Stack Actuators
We offer a range of standard piezoelectric components for users to integrate into their products and systems, but we realise often an application needs something different. Our ceramic team has lots of experience in running development projects and producing bespoke components to meet exacting customer specifications. Listed below are some of the ways in which we might be able to help you:
With our advanced ceramic manufacturing facility, we can manufacture piezo-electric materials to order, tailoring their performance for activity, temperature operation, strength or other properties.