Manufacturing technologies of piezoelectric components for integration into lightweight structures

Piezoelectric sensors and actuators have gained increasing interest in lightweight engineering for shape control, vibration damping, condition, and structural health monitoring. In combination with complementary control units, these adaptive structures become more relevant as cost-effective technologies and mass production of suitable piezoelectric components are available. We investigate serial and cost-effective fabrication of piezoceramic components and composites, which allow for direct integration into lightweight structures. To succeed functional integration, layout, structure and composition of the piezoelectric components need to be adjusted to the lightweight material and to the constraints of the entire manufacturing process. Examples of robust piezoelectric components for integration into fiber-reinforced plastics and light metal parts are given. Manufacturing, properties and influence of structure integration on physical characteristics are described and discussed in detail.