Fabrication and properties of piezoelectric composites designed for process monitoring of cement hydration reaction

A series of receiving type piezoelectric composites were designed and fabricated by cutting and filling technique. The piezoelectric composites were also optimized from such aspects as matrix phase, functional phase and composite connectivity. The researches show that these piezoelectric composites have larger piezoelectric voltage factor, thickness electromechanical coupling coefficient and lower acoustic impedance than the pure piezoelectric ceramic. The early cement hydration reaction process monitoring result indicates that the ultrasonic wave receiving ability of the piezoelectric composite is obviously better than that of the pure piezoelectric ceramic. Therefore, these kinds of piezoelectric composites have potential application prospect in cement hydration reaction process monitoring.

► Kinds of piezoelectric composites were designed for cement hydration monitoring.
► The piezoelectric composites have good electric and acoustic properties.
► The composite has better receiving ability of ultrasonic wave than PZT-5 ceramic.
► Piezoelectric composites can effectively monitor the early cement hydration process.