Experimental and numerical study on the electro-mechanical behavior of piezoceramic fibers during joining by forming

A new technology enables the integration of piezoceramic fibers as functional elements into microstructured aluminum sheets by forming processes. Scope of the paper is the development of a novel method for monitoring the condition of piezoceramic fibers during the joining by forming process. For this purpose, the piezoceramic fibers are utilized as material inherent sensor during forming tests. Test samples are fabricated, electrically contacted and characterized by impedance spectroscopy. Furthermore, numerical results of the stress state and resonance characteristics of the piezoceramic/metal composites are presented. Depending on the results a novel process-control is outlined that aims on a reproducible residual preload with the surrounding metal structure without overloading the piezoceramic fibers.