Processing of lead zirconate titanate-graphite 3–3 piezocomposites

The lead zirconate titanate (PZT)-graphite piezocomposites have potential for higher piezoelectric sensitivity, lower acoustic impedance, higher piezoelectric voltage constants, higher electromechanical coupling coefficient, and higher hydrostatic coefficients as compared to dense PZT materials. In addition, the properties of piezocomposites can be tailored for various weight percentage of graphite powder. To study the phenomena, PZT-graphite 3–3 composites were prepared by mixing calcined PZT and commercially available graphite powder. The mixed powder was compacted, sintered, and poled by corona poling technique. Scanning electron microstructures were recorded to study the effect of graphite on processing of 3–3 piezocomposites. The polarising behaviour, piezoelectric and dielectric properties of PZT-graphite composites were studied.