The Fabrication and Characterisation of 0-3 Composites

Piezoelectric ceramic -polymer composites have been the subject of a considerable research effort over recent years [1,2,3].1-3 composites in which the ceramic rods are aligned within a polymer matrix are of interest for both medical and sonar applications [4.5].Whilst such transducers offer good performance, their fabrication is both time consuming and expensiVe.0-3 composites consisting of a piezoelectric ceramic powder dispersed in a polymer matrix offer the potential for lower cost.larger area devices compared with 1-3 types.However, polarisation of the ceramic grains within the polymer is not easily accomplished.Using a simple model, this paper discusses the effect of the electrical properties of the ceramic and the polymer on the field distribution within the composite.The model is then tested experimentally and the results compared with the theoretical predictions. 2.00MPOSITE