Simulation and structural design of 2–2 PIMNT/epoxy piezoelectric composites

Abstract

Piezoelectric materials are commonly used in transducers to convert electromechanical signals due to their energy conversion characteristics. We designed a PIMNT/epoxy 2–2 composite to take full advantage of the excellent beam-mode piezoelectric and acoustic features of PIMNT single crystals. Following the approach used for piezoelectric ceramic composites, we selected PIMNT piezoelectric single crystal and EPO-TEK301-2 epoxy resin for the composite, and combined finite element analysis with experimental preparation. We prepared, tested and analyzed 2–2 piezoelectric single crystal composites with varying volume fractions, which showed high electromechanical coupling properties ([Formula: see text]%) and low acoustic impedance ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]MRayl). These encouraging findings suggest the possibility of devising high-performance ultrasonic transducers utilizing the PIMNT/epoxy 2–2 composite.