Improving hydrostatic performance of 1-3 piezocomposites

Type 1-3 piezocomposites consist of aligned piezoelectric rods embedded in a passive polymer matrix and have better hydrostatic behavior than single-phase piezoelectric materials. The improved hydrostatic performance of 1-3 piezocomposites comes from two major effects: the axial stress amplification and the lateral stress reduction in the piezoelectric rods. An improved micromechanical model has been developed to predict the hydrostatic response of 1-3 piezocomposites and to examine the interaction between the piezoelectric rods and the polymer matrix. Effective hydrostatic piezoelectric constants for the composite are predicted and compared to those calculated using a generalized plane strain model. The influence of matrix stiffness, interlayer stiffness, rod aspect ratio, and rod volume fraction on the load transfer and the effective hydrostatic piezoelectric coefficient was investigated. The results obtained provide quantitative information on how various parameters affect the hydrostatic response of the composites.