Experimental and finite element modelling studies on single-layer and multi-layer 1–3 piezocomposite transducers

Finite element modelling (FEM) using ATILA code and experimental studies have been carried out on 1–3 piezocomposite transducers. FEM study was initially carried out on a piezocomposite infinite plate and then extended to transducers of finite size. The infinite-plate model results agree well with that of a simple analytical model and experiments. The acoustic performance of multi-layer finite-size piezocomposite transducers was also studied. Transducer stacks were fabricated with different number of layers. The transducer characteristics such as the electrical impedance, the transmitting voltage response (TVR) and the receiving sensitivity (RS) of the 1–3 piezocomposite transducers were evaluated as functions of frequency, ceramic volume fractions and the number of layers. TVR increases and RS decreases with increase in ceramic volume fractions. The model results are found to agree with the experimental data, especially when the number of layers is less.