Ferroelectric Properties of PVDF Polymer and VF2/C2F3H Copolymers: High Pressure and Shock Response of PVDF Gauges

Ferroelectric properties of PVDF polymers and VF2/C2F3H copolymers are presented. The polarization process of these organic materials influences the piezoelectric properties and their behavior under dynamic compression and shock loading. Using pressure wave propagation (PWP), the polarization distribution obtained by our “ISL” process is measured. The polarization homogeneity is found to be very good over the whole thickness of the samples.Piezoelectric and dielectric properties of uniformly poled PVDF and VF2/C2F3H copolymers are reported as well as their behavior under dynamic compression (0–10 kbar). Shock responses of these ferroelectric organic materials are studied and presented (2-200 kbar). Calibration curves and shock data are examined in the case of impact loading and explosive loading. Results obtained at Sandia National Laboratoricst on the ISL piezoelectric polymer gauge indicate excellent agreement between the two independent studies.These organic polymers and copolymers are strong candidates for shock gauges and new transducers.