Based on the proven properties of lead zirconate titanate (PZT), the new materials are suitable for both vibration and pressure sensing. Also suitable for long-term non-destructive testing (NDT), they allow in-situ continuous fault detection at temperatures of up to 250ºC.
Previous materials of this kind have had to offer a compromise between piezoelectric activity and maximum operating temperature, with rapid thermal degradation taking place at temperatures above 200ºC.
However, the new products are temperature-stable and rated for continuous use at up to 250ºC with an intermittent maximum of 300ºC. Available in tailored formulations, their piezoelectric charge coefficients exceed 400pc/N.
The use of modifying doping agents to produce both soft and hard materials enables further customisation of performance attributes, extending performance operational boundaries.