Piezo Bimorphs
Morgan Technical Ceramics ElectroCeramics (MTC ElectroCeramics) started production of piezo bimorphs in the early 1960s. With a history in piezo bimorphs extending some 45 years to the pioneering days of the technology, MTC ElectroCeramics brings a wealth of experience in the development of customized high precision piezo bimorph components – resulting in real added-value for our customers.
Today you will find MTC ElectroCeramics piezo bimorphs in a host of specialist application areas, including ultrasonic atomizers, positioning transducers, printing technologies, pneumatic valves, textile machinery and many more. All are the result of close co-design and co-development relationships with our customers.
The bimorphs are available in a range of sizes from 6 to 74mm in length and 1 to 43mm in width, to reflect the variety of applications in which they can be used.
Series & Parallel bimorphs:
High Sensitivity and Cost Efficient
Examples of applications:
- Sensor systems (airbag)
- Printing technologies
- Ultrasonic atomizers
- Ultrasonic transducers
- Positioning transducers
- Viscosity measurement systems
- Flow measurement systems
Carbon-fibre or metal re-inforced bimorphs:
High Force/Deflection Ratio and extremely long life-time
Examples of applications:
- Pneumatic valves for industrial and automotive applications
- Valves in medical applications
- Insulin pumps
- Braille keys for the blind
- Energy harvesting in car-tyres
- Textile machinery
- Optical switches
MTC ElectroCeramics also manufactures and designs PZT bimorph elements for use in various applications in automotive, aerospace, medical, industrial markets.
MTC ElectoCeramics' co-fired PZT bimorph is a two layer PZT device that is configured with a central encapsulated electrode region. The device construction is similar to a conventional bonded bimorph. The difference is the co-fired bimorph is fired at a temperature that sinters the two layers of PZT into a monolithic structure separated only by the inner electrode. The benefit of this construction is that the bimorph is more mechanically stable and can be used in harsh environments since there is a uniform mechanical interface at the edges (no seams for potential filtration) as well as the device behaviour having similar characteristics to the bulk PZT properties.
Examples of applications:
- Oil exploration
- Machine and equipment monitoring
- Automotive engines
- Feedback sensors
- High temperature accelerometers
- Rate & gyroscope sensors
- Intrusion alarms
These bimorphs are also commonly used as actuators in fine micro-manipulation mechanisms such as computer hard drive indexing and aerospace valves.
MTC ElectroCeramics manufactures the co-fired bimorphs from PZT5A3, PZT702, and PZT5H2 in configurations such as squares, rectangles, discs and rings.
