Carbon fibre improves performance of piezo 'bimorph'
The bimorph piezo actuator or 'bender' as it is sometimes know, is
becoming increasingly popular as manufacturers seek reliable, compact,
lightweight actuators with very low power consumption for small products
such as mobile phones and medical devices. Morgan Electro Ceramics (MEC)
has developed a new bender that uses carbon fibre instead of the
traditional metal inner layer for greater deflection and increased force.
MEC claims that carbon fibre based bimorphs are between 20 and 30% better
performing than their metallic counterparts. The units are available in
lengths from 15 to 45mm and widths from 2 to 15mm, with or without
special coatings to protect against the effects of damp and humidity.