抄録
The objective of this study is to characterize a piezoelectric composite and evaluate its suitability for viscosity-measuring applications. The composite is manufactured of a platinum-core lead zirconate titanate fiber inserted into an aluminum matrix. This study characterizes it by testing its impedance, capacitance, voltage sensitivity response to vibrational inputs, and deformation due to electrical input. Additional tests in air, water, and deionized water are carried out to evaluate its suitability for measuring viscosity using two probes: one as an actuator and another as a sensor. Results of the gain and phase between the probes indicate that the phase shift may be used as an indicator of viscosity changes. The first significant phase shift was measured as 2.45, 2.77, and 4.065 x 1O^7Hz, for water, air, and oil which is directly proportional to the kinematic viscosity of each fluid.
