An experimental and theoretical study of 1–3 AND 1-3-0 piezoelectric PZT-Polymer composites for hydrophone applications

A new type of piezoelectric PZT-polymer 1-3-0 composite was fabricated with a single large void present in the center of the composite. Experimentally and theoretically the addition of this type of void to a 1–3 composite significantly enhances the hydrostatic piezoelectric [dbar] h and [gbar] h coefficients. A comparison of the experimental results and theoretical predictions was made. The pressure and frequency dependences of the properties of the 1-3 and 1-3-0 composites were measured, along with the effect of hydrostatic pressure cycling. The 1-3-0 composites partially depoled from pressure cycling to 600 psi (4.1 MPa), indicating that the limit of hydrostatic sensitivity, physically possible for the soft PZT used, was exceeded.