Poling characteristics of PZT/epoxy piezoelectric paints

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Abstract
Piezoelectric paints were prepared using lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramic powder as a pigment and epoxy resin as a binder. The PZT/epoxy composition was adjusted to 92/8 or 96/4 by weight in the pigment paste (an intermediary product of the final paint), while in the final paint the composition was adjusted to 88/12 by weight (53/47 by volume) for both pigment pastes. The obtained paint was coated on an aluminum beam, and was cured at room temperature for at least 3 days or at 150°C for 45 min, thus forming the film of 25-175 μm thickness. The film was then poled at room temperature, and the poling behavior was determined from the piezoelectric activity as a function of poling field. The poling behavior of the film depends on the film thickness, the cure temperature, and the PZT/epoxy composition in the pigment paste. A good correlation is found between the piezoelectric activity and the electrical conductivity for all the films studied, thus indicating that the poling behavior of the PZT/epoxy composite film is primarily determined by the ratio of the electrical conductivity of the epoxy matrix to that of the PZT particles. On the basis of this finding, we propose a possible mechanism for the effects of the film thickness and the cure temperature on the poling behavior of the PZT/epoxy paint film.

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