Robert Y. Ting
Naval Res. Lab., Underwater Sound Reference Detachment, P.O. Box 568337, Orlando, FL 32856-8337
One of the technical subjects to which the late Dr. Wayne Reader made a significant contribution in recent years was the development of 1--3 piezoelectric composite materials, which consist of thin ceramic rods aligned and embedded in a polymeric matrix. The combination of good piezoelectric properties and the potential of low-cost manufacturing for large area coverage makes this new class of composite materials attractive for application as large area actuators in vibration control. Some of Dr. Reader's work will be reviewed, and the most recent development of new 1--3 piezocomposites will be discussed. Special new fabrication methods and the resulting material will be introduced. Acoustical properties of these new samples have been evaluated as a function of pressure and temperature and some of the results will be reported in this presentation.