Smart piezoelectric Fibre composites

Abstract

Piezoelectric materials are capable of actuation and sensing and have found uses in applications including ultrasonic transducers, hydrophones, micropositioning devices, accelerometers, and structural actuators. A composite configuration for structural actuation having significant advantages over conventional piezoelectric actuators has been conceived, and the recent development of piezoelectric ceramic fibres < 100 μ m in diameter has enabled this concept to be realised. It is envisaged that these composites will find uses in contour control, non-destructive testing, vibration suppression, and noise control. The possibility of computer control using closed loop systems has led to these composites emerging as potential 'smart' materials and structures. Since their conception, less than a decade ago, significant advances have been made in many areas concerned with composite performance, such as fibre and matrix technology and configuration optimisation. These advances are charted, the fibre, matrix, and electrode technologies are reviewed, and the manufacture, modelling, and applications of these new piezoelectric composites, known as active fibre composites, are discussed.