Processing of Lead Zirconate Titanate-graphite 3-3 Piezocomposites

Abstract

The lead zirconate titanate (PZT)-graphite piezocomposites have potential for higherpiezoelectric sensitivity, lower acoustic impedance, higher piezoelectric voltage constants, higherelectromechanical coupling coefficient, and higher hydrostatic coefficients as compared to densePZT materials. In addition, the properties of piezocomposites can be tailored for various weightpercentage of graphite powder. To study the phenomena, PZT-graphite 3-3 composites wereprepared by mixing calcined PZT and commercially available graphite powder. The mixed powderwas compacted, sintered, and poled by corona poling technique. Scanning electron microstructureswere recorded to study the effect of graphite on processing of 3-3 piezocomposites. The polarisingbehaviour, piezoelectric and dielectric properties of PZT-graphite composites were studied.