Abstract A model previously developed for pure 0-3 connectivity piezocomposites has been extended to 3-3 connectivity. This matrix method allows the prediction of the effective electroelastic moduli of a piezocomposite according to its connectivity. It is used to optimize composite performance by choosing the optimal constituents for each phase. A simple combination of the results for 0-3 and 3-3 connectivities allows the effective proportion of 3-3 connectivity to be defined in highly loaded 0-3 piezocomposites. This theoretical analysis has been used to evaluate effective proportions of 3-3 connectivity in five composite samples. The values obtained are shown to be a function of the ceramic volume fraction and fabrication process. The results of this study were used to optimize the fabrication process.
1998 IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control 45:1497-1505
© 1998, by The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. All rights reserved.