Multi-phase piezoelectric structures through co-extrusion

A novel processing route has been developed which will allow electrode stru ctures to be applied around and within structures of lead zirconate titanat e (PZT) before sintering, without the use of expensive metal electrodes suc h as palladium or platinum. The processing methods which have been applied to obtain these results have involved viscous processing and co-extrusion. Deagglomerated pastes of PZT and different levels of silver (I) oxide have been formed and co-extruded into cylindrical sections to demonstrate the fe asibility of the technology. The microstructural and functional properties of these structures are shown, and the potential for the technology to gene rate complex novel piezoelectric devices illustrated.