DURABILITY AND ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE OF INTEGRATED PIEZOCERAMIC TRANSDUCER ELEMENTS UNDER CYCLIC LOADING

摘要

The increased emphasis on acousto-ultrasonics in structural health monitoring has led to broad recognition of the critical importance of the long term durability of the transducers involved. Of particular interest is the mechanical durability of structurally integrated piezoceramic transducers under sustained cyclic loading and the impact of transducer degradation on acoustic performance. This paper will outline an experimental investigation into the mechanical durability of a low-profile layered piezoceramic transducer under a cyclic loading regime involving strain amplitudes of up to 3000 microstrain. Preliminary results are presented that demonstrate a good level of mechanical durability. This has led to a more extensive program of work to investigate not only the mechanical durability but also the acoustic transduction efficiency of elements exposed to long term cyclic loading.