Definition & History

Piezoelectricity (from: pressure electricity) is a property of certain classes of crystalline materials including natural crystals of Quartz, Rochelle Salt and Tourmaline plus manufactured ceramics such as Barium Titanate and Lead Zirconate Titanates (PZT).

When mechanical pressure is applied to one of these materials, the crystalline structure produces a voltage proportional to the pressure. Conversely, when an electric field is applied, the structure changes shape producing dimensional changes in the material.

The piezoelectric materials from Morgan Electro Ceramics use polycrystalline ceramics instead of natural piezoelectric crystals. These are more versatile with physical, chemical and piezoelectric characteristics able to be tailored to specific applications. The hard, dense ceramics can be manufactured in almost any given shape or size. They are chemically inert, and immune to moisture and other atmospheric conditions.

Morgan Electroceramic, as part of a group which is a world leader in Advanced Ceramics, has piezoelectric R&D and manufacturing facilities in Southampton, England; Ruabon, Wales and Bedford, Ohio.

Historical Note:
The Piezoelectric effect was discovered by
Pierre Curie (1859-1906) in the early 1880's.