Author(s)

A. Perry, C.R. Bowen, H. Kara & S. Mahon

Abstract

Three-dimensional modelling of a 3-3 piezoelectric structure was carried out using ANSYS finite element modelling software. Hydrophone figures of merit were calculated for structures with increasing amounts of interconnecting porosity present. In addition to air being the second phase, polymer fillers were added to the three dimensional model in order to observe the effect of polymer Young's modulus on the piezoelectric properties of the bulk material. Results show that increasing the porosity has the effect of improving the hydrostatic piezoelectric properties for applications such as low frequency hydrophones. 1 Theoretical background Traditionally research into piezoelectric devices has concentrated on producing materials with high density. However, for certain applications it can be sh

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