Displacement amplification of electroactive materials using the cymbal flextensional transducer

High performance electroactive materials were studied as the driver element for the cymbal flextensional transducer. The compositions included were commercially available Navy Type I and PKT552 lead zirconate titanate (PZT) piezoceramic, relaxer lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT) ceramic, lead zinc niobate-lead titanate (PZN-PT) single crystal, and lead lanthanum stannate zirconate titanate (PLSnZT) ceramic with antiferroelectric to ferroelectric transitions. Displacement amplifications from 14x to 50x were found for various cymbal configurations. The influence of material properties, cymbal design, and drive signal on the displacement amplification factor is discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.