Finite Element Analysis and Modified Small Punch Testing for Determining the Fracture and Polarization Switching Properties of Piezoelectric Ceramics

Abstract

The fracture behavior of a piezoelectric ceramic under applied electric fields has been discussed through experimental and theoretical characterizations. The modified small punch (MSP) tests were performed on a commercial PZT ceramic. The fracture initiation loads under different electric fields are obtained from the experiment. A nonlinear finite element analysis was also employed to calculate the deflection and MSP energy. An expression is presented for determining the fracture properties due to electrical effects by expreimental and theoretical means.