INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS OF PIEZOELECTRIC POLYMER TRANSDUCERS

The discovery of highly active piezoelectric polymer materials was fir st reported in 1969. Since then an enormous amount of research work ha s been conducted, mainly aimed at discovering the structure and proper ties of these fascinating materials with the further aim of improving their piezoelectric and pyroelectric behaviour. An equally vast amount of literature devoted to applications of these polymers has appeared and even a cursory glance at all this shows that they have been applie d as the basis for a wide range of devices. The subject has now reache d a degree of maturity and in the nondestructive testing field, there is perhaps a 'niche market' emerging for transducers based on polyviny lidene fluoride and its derivatives. In certain areas such as miniatur e under water hydrophones, piezoelectric polymers have become the mate rial of choice. This being so, it is appropriate to review the subject .