Effect of Lateral Pressure on the Non-Linear Behaviour of PZT Ceramics

The non-linear behaviour of PZT-5 ceramics under coupled electrical-mechanical loading (E₃ and σ₁₁) is experimentally studied. The effect of different levels of compressive stress on the electrical-mechanical response is examined. With the increase of compressive stress, shapes of the electric hysteresis loop and the butterfly curve are slightly changed, while the reversed butterfly curve (ε ₁₁ vs E₃) varies significantly, and the value of the piezoelectric constant d₃₁ decreases evidently. Based on these experimental results, a simple design is proposed to improve the sensitivity and reliability of the submarine detectors and sensors.