Direct measurement of electric field-induced strains of a single lead zirconate titanate piezoelectric ceramic fibre under various conditions

The electric field-induced strains (S-E) of a single PZT piezoelectric fibre were measured using a micro-displacement sensor. The effects of temperature and uniaxial compressive stress on S-E were also investigated. The results demonstrate that the S-E are strongly dependent on these factors. Both the maximum strain (Smax) and depoling field increase with the increase of applied electric field. The Smax value increases with the increase of frequency and remains constant after the frequency exceeds 20 Hz. Meanwhile, the remnant strain (Srem) continues to increase, due to the mismatch between the strain response and loading rates. The recoverable strain (Smax-Srem) goes up with the increase of temperature and reaches the maximum value at 140 °C. Under an increasing uniaxial compressive stress, both Smax and depoling field increase and reach the peak value at 3 MPa, and then decrease with further increase of stress.