Extrinsic contribution to the non-linearity in a PZT disc

Non-linear increases in elastic, piezoelectric (direct and reverse) and dielectric coefficients have been measured under a high electrical field or under high mechanical stress. The permittivity and reverse piezoelectric coefficient can be measured by applying a high voltage at a low frequency, while the elastic compliance and direct piezoelectric coefficient can be measured at the first radial resonance frequency in order to apply a high stress. The non-linear behaviour has been analysed at the radial resonance of a disc. In all the materials tested, the results show that there is a close relation between the non-linear increments of the different coefficients. An empirical model has been proposed in order to describe and understand these relations. It is assumed that either the strain or the electrical displacement is produced by intrinsic and extrinsic processes, but only the latter, which consist mainly in the motion of domain walls, contribute to the non-linearity. The model enables us to find the domain wall contribution to elastic, piezoelectric and dielectric non-linearities, and allows us to compare the amplitudes of the fields and stresses that produce the same displacement of domain walls.