Electrostrictive and Piezoelectric Materials for Actuator Applications

Abstract

The piezoelectric and electrostrictive effects in ferroelectric ceramics are reviewed with an emphasis on those properties that are relevant for applications in actua tors. Various contributions to the piezoelectric effect in ferroelectric ceramics, especially lead zirconate titanate ceramics, are discussed in some detail. Relaxor ferroelectrics such as lead magnesium niobate are shown to be a unique family of materials with very attrac tive electrostrictive effects as well as piezoelectric properties. Finally, several actuator sys tems that employ piezoelectric end electrostrictive ceramics are briefly discussed.