Performance characterization and failure analysis for laminar PZT components

A general procedure for investigating the loading limits, damage behavior and reliability of laminar piezoceramic transducers is proposed. The characterization of the sensor and actuator performance and a quasistatic and cyclic testing program under mechanical and electrical loading and under various environmental conditions provide a data basis for the identification of damage mechanisms and for the assessment of long-term integrity. Numerical simulation is used both to predict performance and to contribute to a better understanding of the experimental results by studying the local loading conditions in a component under various boundary conditions. The method is exemplified on an extended study on foil-based PZT patches for which a temperature dependant lifetime diagram was derived and on miniature piezoelectric bending actuators developed and tested for use in an implantable peristaltic micropump.