Aspects of composite manufacturing

Methods to manufacture modern composites based on ferroelectrics are described and compared. The overwhelming majority of the well-approved methods are concerned with manufacturing of the ferroelectric ceramic/polymer composites that have been widespread for the past decades. The methods to manufacture the piezo-active composites are based on knowledge of physics, chemistry, materials science and technological principles. In the present work, the main emphasis is placed on applications of dielectrophoresis to form long chains of aligned and closely connected ceramic particles in an electric field, when the matrix polymer is in a low-viscosity state. The methods are suitable for the manufacture piezo-active 0–3, 1–3 and quasi 1–3 ceramic/polymer composites including those for sensor and high-temperature applications. A ceramic-based composite with a foam polymer matrix is also manufactured, and its performance is compared to that of a related 0–3 ceramic/polymer composite.