Ultrasonic study of elastic creep in piezoceramics

Ultrasonic method and experimental setup for study the elastic creep of piezoelectric materials are described. The results of experimental studies of time behavior of the Young's modulus and the internal friction are presented as well as the longitudinal and transversal piezomoduli and the electromechanical coupling factor. Four compositions of piezoelectric ceramics both soft and hard, based on BaTiO3 and PZT, were compressed for a long time (0 ÷ 107 s) by significant static loads (0 ÷ 120 MPa). The possible physical mechanisms that cause the creep are briefly considered. The concept of a spectrum of activation energies of the corresponding processes is introduced. The upper and the lower boundaries of the relaxation times spectrum were measured and corresponding activation energies were found.