Abstract
Three-dimensional modelling of a 3-3 piezoelectric structure was carried out using ANSYS finite element modelling software. Hydrophone figures of merit were calculated for structures with increasing amounts of interconnecting porosity. In addition to air being the second phase, polymer fillers were added to the three dimensional model in order to observe the effect of polymer Young's modulus on the piezoelectric response of the bulk material. Results show that increasing the porosity has the effect of improving the hydrostatic piezoelectric properties for applications such as low frequency hydrophones. In order to validate model predictions porous piezoelectric structures were fabricated by either the BurPS (Burnt out Polymer Spheres) method or polymer foam reticulation. Corresponding measurements or piezoelectric co-efficients were carried out on the porous samples.
| Original language | English |
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| Pages (from-to) | 1505-1508 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Advances in Composite Materials and Structures, Parts 1 and 2 |
| Volume | 206-2 |
| Publication status | Published - 2002 |