Piezoelectric material selection for ultrasonic transducer and actuator applications

Abstract

Multi attribute decision making approaches are used to screen and rank selected materials for piezoelectric applications including ultrasonic transducers and actuators. We have investigated two separate multi attribute decision making techniques namely the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution and non-linear simple additive weighting methods to rank and compare selected materials for high and room temperature piezoelectric applications. Subjective weights have been determined using modified digital logic approach. Lead-based piezoceramics acquire all the top ranking positions, indicating their functional superiority among all the selected materials. However, some lead-free materials show comparable performance index with that of the lead-based ceramics. The KNN (K0.5Na0.5NbO3) family in particular shows positive simple additive weighting index, indicating potential lead-free candidates for piezoelectric applications.