New materials for large-strain actuator applications

Kurt M. Rittenmyer; Robert Y. Ting

doi:10.1117/12.174046

1 May 1994 New materials for large-strain actuator applications

Kurt M. Rittenmyer, Robert Y. Ting

Proceedings Volume 2189, Smart Structures and Materials 1994: Smart Materials; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.174046
Event: 1994 North American Conference on Smart Structures and Materials, 1994, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Several new materials capable of generating large strains under an electric field are being developed for applications as actuators and high-drive sonar projectors. These materials are capable of generating strains that are several times large than those produced by conventional lead zirconate-titanate ceramics. The first group of materials are the class of lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMNPT) ceramics. These materials are electrostrictive and, therefore, are operated under dc bias fields. The largest strains are obtained when the temperature is maintained in the region of the order-disorder phase transition of the material. This, however, makes the properties of the material temperature dependent. An alternative material is the family of lanthanum-modified lead zirconate-titanate (PLZT) ceramics. These materials have been developed extensively for electro-optic applications. They can generate even higher levels of strain compared with the PMNPT ceramics with less temperature dependence. They, however, suffer from higher dielectric hysteresis and are more suitable for actuator applications because of dielectric heating. Results are presented for measurements on several compositions of PMNPT and PLZT.

Citation Download Citation

Kurt M. Rittenmyer and Robert Y. Ting "New materials for large-strain actuator applications", Proc. SPIE 2189, Smart Structures and Materials 1994: Smart Materials, (1 May 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.174046

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