Method for making piezoelectric ceramic/polymer composite transducers
US5340510A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 5, 1993 |
| Grant date | Aug 23, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 5, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10N30/8554
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A net-shape process for fabricating a fully dense ceramic preform for a piezoelectric or electrostrictive composite transducer exhibiting 1-3 or 2-2 connectivity. The process involves preparing a homogeneous, granulated, thermoplastic powder/binder mixture from a strongly piezoelectric or electrostrictive ceramic material powder and a thermoplastic organic binder selected to be nondestructively removed from the mixture by heating. The mixture is injection molded to form a self-supporting green body including a planar ceramic base with parallel ceramic elements extending perpendicularly from the base in a preselected array. Each element has a rod-like or lamellar shape. The body is released from the preform mold, heated to a temperature of 300.degree.-700.degree. C. for a time sufficient to completely remove the binder, and sintered to at least about 95% of theoretical density. To fabricate a piezoelectric or electrostrictive composite transducer exhibiting 1-3 or 2-2 connectivity and including a fully dense piezoelectric or electrostrictive ceramic phase, the preform is encapsulated in a polymeric material to form a 2-phase ceramic/polymer composite. The ceramic base is removed fro…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.