Application of a Classical Lamination Theory Model to the Design of Piezoelectric Composite Unimorph Actuators

Abstract

This work presents the design, development, and characterization of unimorphtype laminated piezoelectric actuators. The actuators consist of a piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) layer sandwiched between unidirectional Kevlar 49 and epoxy composite layers. Differential thermal expansion during processing places the ceramic plate in a state of residual compression and results in a curved actuator. Modified classical lamination theory (MCLT) (modified to include piezoelectricity) was used to design the actuators. Three layups were fabricated and characterized: [90/PZT/90/0], [902/PZT/90/02], and [903/PZT/90/03]. Results were compared to a commercially available unimorph-type actuator made from layers of metal, adhesive, and piezoelectric material. The classical lamination theory predictions were in good agreement with the measured response of the PZT composite actuators and provide a useful design tool for these actuators.

Keywords

piezoelectric actuator unimorph composite classical lamination theory ECLIPSE actuators

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Hellbaum, R.F., Bryant, R.G. and Fox, R.L. 1997. “Thin Layer Composite Unimorph Ferroelectric Driver and Sensor,” United States Patent No. 5,632,841.

Herakovich, C.T. 1998. Mechanics of Fibrous Composites, Wiley, New York, NY.

Hyer, M.W. and Jilani, A. 1998. “Predicting the Deformation Characteristics of Rectangular Unsymmetrically Laminated Piezoelectric Materials,” Smart Materials Structures, 7:784–791.

Love, A.E.H. 1927. A Treatise on the Mathematical Theory of Elasticity, 4th edn, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

Mallick, P.K. 1993. Fiber-Reinforced Composites: Materials, Manufacturing, and Design, 2nd edn, Marcel Dekker, New York, NY.

Meitzler, A.H. , Berlincourt, D. , Welsh, F.S. , Tiersten, H.F. , Coquin, G.A. and Warner, A.W. 1987. “IEEE Standard on Piezoelectricity,” ANSI/IEEE Standard 176-1987, New York, NY.

Smits, J.G. and Choi, W. 1991. “The Constituent Equations of Piezoelectric Heterogeneous Bimorphs,” IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control, 38:256–270.

Smits, J.G. , Dalke, S.I. and Cooney, T.H. 1990. “The Constituent Equations of Piezoelectric Bimorphs,” Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, 28:41–61.

Yoon, K.J. , Chung, J.H. , Goo, N.S. and Park, H.C. 2001. “Thermal Deformation and Residual Stress Analysis of Lightweight Piezo-Composite Curved Actuator Device,” In: Proceedings of SPIE, Vol. 4333, pp. 418–425.

10.

Yoon, K.J. , Park, K.H. , Kim, Y.B. , Kim, Y.S. and Park, H.C. 2002. “Experimental Performance Evaluation of Lightweight Piezo-Composite Curved Actuators,” In: Proceedings of SPIE, Vol. 4699, pp. 315–322.

11.

Yoon, K.J. , Park, K.H. , Park, H.C. and Perreux, D. 2003. “Thermal Deformation Analysis of Curved Actuator LIPCA with a Piezoelectric Ceramic Layer and Fiber Composite Layers,” Composites Science and Technology, 63:501–506.