The hydroacoustic behavior of piezoelectric composite materials

Piezoelectric composites that contain both ceramic and polymeric phases, and non-ferroelectric glass-ceramic composites have recently been developed. These materials exhibit attractive piezoelectric properties for applications in hydrophones that operate in a hydrostatic mode. Prototype hydrophones were developed using a porous PZT ceramic, a “0–3” and a “1–3” ceramic-polymer composite and a glass-ceramic sample. The test results on the acoustical performance of these devices are presented to demonstrate the potential of these new materials for underwater acoustical applications.