Abstract
This paper reports the experimental results on PZT/polymer 1-3 connectivity composites for solid ultrasonic applications, especially for an AE transducer in nondestructive inspection. A high sensitivity and wideband AE transducer employing the PZT/polymer 1-3 composite has been developed. The 1-3 composite was fabricated based on the “dispersion of resonance” design: A large number of small rods with different heights were carved in a poled solid PZT disk with an ultrasonic cutter and were then back-filled with urethane rubber. Evaluation of piezoelectric characteristics indicated that the composite had g33 value three times larger than that of solid PZT. It was found that the resonance frequency of rods was not intervened each other due to polymer matrix. The AE transducer had higher sensitivity and a wider resonance frequency than a conventional type AE transducer.
