Mechanical properties of high energy density piezoelectric ceramics

High energy density piezoelectric ceramics, 0.8[Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3]–0.2[Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 + 2 mol%MnO2 (PZZNT), were synthesized and their mechanical behavior was investigated by conducting tensile, bending and fracture toughness tests. Direct tensile testing of ceramics was achieved by optimizing the sample dimensions and by identifying the proper gripping method. Through these investigations, elastic modulus was calculated in the linear region of the stress–strain curves from both bending and tensile tests. The average magnitude of modulus was found to be 54 ± 7 GPa and 66 ± 4 GPa for tensile and bending test respectively. Fracture toughness was measured to be in the range of 1.07–1.20 MPa√m.

► Synthesis and properties of high energy density piezoelectric ceramic composition. ► Design and implementation of tensile test on ceramics. ► Design and implementation of bending test on ceramics. ► Fracture toughness measurement on piezoelectric ceramics. ► Identification of the role of extrinsic factors in controlling the mechanical behavior.