अमूर्त

Behavior of Current Flow on Lead Zirconate Titanate Surfaces during Mechanical Impact

Aman A

A new mechanical stress detection technique, based on current flow at Lead Zirconium Titanate (PZT) surfaces, is described in this paper. The current flow properties of PZT were characterized by use of a tungsten indenter. The tungsten indenter was dropped from a certain height and caused mechanical impact at the PZT-sample. The tungsten pin achieved direct contact with the upper surface of the ferroelectric specimen during the impact. This procedure allowed measurements of electrical current that flew between the PZT-surface and the tungsten pin. It was shown that ferroelectric domain switching on PZT surface and plastic deformation generates this current flow during action of loading force. The current flow disappeared in a few microseconds after removal of the loading force. The measurements were carried out using different areas of force application on the PZT surface. The mechanical stress, induced by the collision, was transmitted through the sample and generated also a measureable dipole moment. In this way it was shown that PZT exhibits high sensitivity against mechanical stress by means of electrical current flow, compared to typical dipole moment measurements. This specific material property of PZT-ceramics can be used for new mechanical stress sensor designs with higher sensitivity as normal used bulky PZT-sensors.