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Ultrahigh strain and piezoelectric behavior in relaxor based ferroelectric single crystals

Journal Article · · Journal of Applied Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.365983· OSTI ID:527979
;  [1]
  1. Materials Research Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802 (United States)
The piezoelectric properties of relaxor based ferroelectric single crystals, such as Pb(Zn{sub 1/3}Nb{sub 2/3})O{sub 3}{endash}PbTiO{sub 3} and Pb(Mg{sub 1/3}Nb{sub 2/3})O{sub 3}{endash}PbTiO{sub 3} were investigated for electromechanical actuators. In contrast to polycrystalline materials such as Pb(Zr,Ti)O{sub 3}, morphotropic phase boundary compositions were not essential for high piezoelectric strain. Piezoelectric coefficients (d{sub 33}{close_quote}s){gt}2500pC/N and subsequent strain levels up to {gt}0.6{percent} with minimal hysteresis were observed. Crystallographically, high strains are achieved for {l_angle}001{r_angle} oriented rhombohedral crystals, although {l_angle}111{r_angle} is the polar direction. Ultrahigh strain levels up to 1.7{percent}, an order of magnitude larger than those available from conventional piezoelectric and electrostrictive ceramics, could be achieved being related to an E-field induced phase transformation. High electromechanical coupling (k{sub 33}){gt}90{percent} and low dielectric loss {lt}1{percent}, along with large strain make these crystals promising candidates for high performance solid state actuators. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}
OSTI ID:
527979
Journal Information:
Journal of Applied Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 82; ISSN JAPIAU; ISSN 0021-8979
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English