piezoceramic disc is unique electronic components that produce electricity when subjected to mechanical stress (for instance tapping, squeezing or bending). They can be used in a wide range of applications including sensors and actuators as well as energy harvesting and acoustic devices. They can be produced either physically or chemically and then polarized; one side will feature silver electrodes – these devices are known as either unimorphic or bimorphic.
Materials
Piezoelectric materials produce voltage when mechanical stress changes their electric polarization, creating an electric potential difference that manifests as mechanical strain, creating actuators or sensors.
After being poled, piezoceramic components and stacks undergo quality inspection according to customer specifications or internal procedures. This typically includes electrical testing (electrodes, capacitance), mechanical tests (stroke/displacement, frequency response) as well as any additional required assessments.
Piezoceramic disc electrodes are typically made of fired silver or nickel and bonded to their stack using conductive adhesive or clips. After bonding to their stack, these silver and nickel electrodes must then be soldered onto wires that link to circuitry; we advise using a soldering iron with low temperature setting for best results to ensure solder flows quickly to reduce stress on electrodes and electrode stack.
Tools
piezoceramic disc is electronic components designed to produce electricity when exposed to mechanical stress such as pressure or bending, making them an invaluable component for sensors, actuators, energy harvesting devices and acoustic devices.
Pizoceramics can be formed into many shapes, including discs. Their diameter and thickness determine its mechanical properties. In order to make one yourself, a variety of tools and materials will be necessary.
Bulk piezoelectric ceramics are produced through compaction of spray-dried granular piezoceramic powder in large high-capacity presses with up to 1 MN compacting forces, then compacted again using high-capacities presses with compacting forces of 1 MN. Once formed, these bodies are then metallized and polarized; metallization takes place on opposing faces which have been adhered to an appropriate substrate serving as both base and stabilizer (which may either conductive or nonconductive material).
Preparation
piezoceramic disc is electronic components designed to generate electricity when exposed to mechanical stress such as squeezing or bending, making them suitable for various uses such as sensors, actuators and energy harvesting. Crafting your own piezoelectric disc can be both educational and fun–it allows you to explore electromechanical energy conversion principles as well as DIY electronics!
how to make piezoceramic disc? Pizoelectric ceramics are produced through an intricate process that includes synthesizing ceramic raw material powders, molding, sintering and electrode application. Care should be taken during production to ensure they possess appropriate piezoelectric properties.
Piezoelectric discs feature one or two piezoelectric layers attached to a metal diaphragm, and when voltage is applied they deform one way and bend in one direction, creating current that can be measured with an oscilloscope or multimeter. Once sintered and tested the piezoelectric disc is ready for use.
Molding
Piezoelectric ceramic elements are an insulator-type material that generates electricity when subjected to mechanical stress, making it suitable for applications involving ultrasound imaging and medical procedures, transducers and actuators as well as specialty applications. These elements have become popular choice as actuators due to their mechanical stress-generating qualities. They have numerous uses in medical procedures as well as imaging processes such as sonograms.
To create piezoceramic discs, layers of PZT or another lead zirconate titanate-based material must first be metalized through physical or chemical means before becoming polarized and attached to an appropriate substrate – whether conductive or nonconductive.
Bimorph piezoelectric elements feature a center shim typically consisting of a nickel electrode that can be soldered using a low watt soldering iron with appropriate flux (to prevent surface oxidization). Silver electrodes may also be seen on piezoceramic components.
Apply a small dot of Supersafe Liquid Flux onto the piezoceramic component that needs soldering, then position a pre-tinned wire on it before touching your iron over it until it melts and looks shiny.
Sintering
Piezoelectric materials produce mechanical strain when exposed to an electric field, which can then be converted into voltage or displacement – making these special materials great for energy harvesting, sensing, and actuation applications.
As part of the manufacturing process, fine piezoelectric powder is mixed with a bonding agent to form structural elements with desired shapes and sizes. Once assembled, these green parts are then placed in a furnace or kiln for sintering (heating at predetermined times and temperatures), or sometimes called sintered parts.
Once cooled and sintered, APC ceramic piezoelectric discs are trimmed down to their final dimensions before applying conductive electrodes on both surfaces to facilitate signal transmission. Their standard electrode pattern for piezoelectric discs manufactured by them includes bottom surface, sides of ceramic disc, and part of top surface electrodes; other custom designs can be accommodated upon request.
Testing
piezoceramic disc converts mechanical stress to electrical energy, opening up a variety of possibilities for sensing, actuation and energy harvesting. They can convert acoustic vibrations into electric signals which can be read by electronic circuits; or convert mechanical energy to create motion and force.
Pizoelectric materials can be metallized to become electrically conductive and tailored to specific application requirements. Piezoelectric materials can also be adhered to a substrate for stability purposes – unimorphs with one layer of piezoelectric material can be unimorphs while bimorphs have two.
Once the piezoceramic has been cured and sintered, it can be tested using either a multimeter or oscilloscope. When subjected to mechanical stress such as tapping or squeezing, an electric voltage or current will be generated, depending on its form of mechanical strain.