Piezoelectric Materials
AimsBefore you startIntroductionThe piezoelectric dipole momentPolarisationAtomic basis of non-spontaneously polarised piezoelectricsSpontaneously polarised piezoelectrics (on the atomic scale)Spontaneously polarised piezoelectrics (on the macro scale)DepolarisationApplications of piezoelectric materialsPZTSummaryQuestionsGoing furtherTLP creditsTLP contentsShow all contentViewing and downloading resourcesAbout the TLPsTerms of useFeedbackCredits Print this page
PreviousNext
Summary
We have considered a microscopic picture for piezoelectrics, and we have seen some examples of the many applications in which they are exploited. Ceramic piezoelectrics (e.g. PZT) normally contain lead, but there are now lead-free piezoelectrics, e.g. with bismuth replacing the lead. There are also piezoelectric polymers in which much larger strains come at the cost of much lower stresses.