Piezoelectricity
- Definition and 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.
Indepth
technical information can also be found in the Technical Publication Archives as
Acrobat® pdf files.
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