Development of High-Performance PNN-PZT Actuators Using Microwave and Hot-Press Hybrid Sintering Process

Abstract

This research aims to improve the performance of PNN-PZT actuators using a hybrid sintering process, which is a combination of microwave heating hot-press sintering process. In order to develop high-performance actuators, finer PNN-PZT powder was used in this study instead of conventional powder. Disk-shaped actuators were fabricated by both the hybrid sintering process and the conventional sintering process and their performances were compared. The results showed that the electromechanical coupling factor k_p was raised from 69.8% to 72.6% and the piezoelectric constant d_<31> was increased from -379×(10)^<-12> m/V and to -426×(10)^<-12> m/V.