Piezoelectric materials suit high-temp environments
Morgan Advanced Materials has launched of a range of piezoelectric materials that deliver reliable sensing and monitoring in environments above 200ºC. Based on the proven properties of lead zirconate titanate (PZT), the materials are suitable for both vibration and pressure sensing in applications such as process & plant control, power generation, automotive and aerospace.
Enabling in-situ continuous fault detection at temperatures of up to 250°C, they are also suited for long-term non-destructive testing. Previous materials of this kind have had to offer a compromise between piezoelectric activity and maximum operating temperature, with rapid thermal degradation taking place at temperatures above 200°C. The use of modifying dopants to produce both soft and hard materials enables further customisation of performance attributes, extending performance boundaries. Testing has also shown outstanding resistivity at elevated temperatures, enabling a large sensing bandwidth in high-sensitivity applications.
Paul Turnbull, Morgan Advanced Materials explained: “In-house testing of the new materials has shown that at 250°C, the decrease in piezoelectric properties is negligible, making this technology suitable for a far broader range of applications. This temperature stability is highly significant in sectors where continuous operation or prolonged electrical/stress/cycling is vital to device construction and operation.”
Morgan offers dedicated in-house fabrication capabilities for the manufacture of products with diameters between 200µm and 200mm