Large strain electrostrictive actuation in barium titanate

Large strain electrostriction in single-crystal ferroelectric materials is investigated. The mode of electrostriction is based on a combined electromechanical loading used to induce cyclic, 90 degrees domain switching. Experiments have been performed on crystals of barium titanate with constant compressive stress and oscillating electric-field input. Induced strains of more than 0.8% have been measured. Strains as large as 5% are predicted for other materials of the same class. The results demonstrate a possible avenue for obtaining large actuation strains in electromechanical devices. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0003- 6951(00)01137-2].