Poling characteristics of PZT/epoxy piezoelectric paints

Abstract Piezoelectric paints were prepared using lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramic powder as a pigment and epoxy resin as a binder. The PZT/epoxy composition was adjusted to 92/8 or 96/4 by weight in the pigment paste (an intermediary product of the final paint), while in the final paint the composition was adjusted to 88/12 by weight (53/47 by volume) for both pigment pastes. The obtained paint was coated on an aluminum beam, and was cured at room temperature for at least 3 days or at 150°C for 45 min, thus forming the film of 25-175 μm thickness. The film was then poled at room temperature, and the poling behavior was determined from the piezoelectric activity as a function of poling field. The poling behavior of the film depends on the film thickness, the cure temperature, and the PZT/epoxy composition in the pigment paste. A good correlation is found between the piezoelectric activity and the electrical conductivity for all the films studied, thus indicating that the poling behavior of the PZT/ep...