Design of 1-3 piezocomposite hydrostatic transducers using finite element analysis

1-3 piezocomposites were originally created because of their perceived good performance under hydrostatic operating conditions. For design evaluation, several researchers have devised constrained-dimensional models that are valid over a restricted operating range. This work describes a finite element method originally developed for thickness mode operation and extended to hydrostatic behaviour. The theory was compared against experimental data and with a constrained-dimensional model, producing encouraging results. A materials comparison for both the ceramic and polymer phase was performed using the finite element model, from which the desired properties of each phase were determined. The best hydrostatic performance for a 1-3 piezocomposite was obtained by using a low volume fraction composite of PZT-5H with potential enhancement by incorporation of stiffening plates. The polymer phase should be compliant and possess the lowest possible Poisson's ratio