Review of recent uork on fxrroelectric composite systems

Abstract A survey is made about the most oustanding up to date literature concerning ferroelectric composites which arose as an alternative of dense ceramics for piezoelectric applications. The reasons to exhibit high performances as hydrophones and ultrasonic imaging systems are described, as well as the connectivity concept applied to composites. The different structures manufactured and the principal characte ristics are also described, together with the mostly accepted explanation through the models proposed. The perforated PZT blocks and polymer back filled as well as the more complex structures are revealed as the most interesting ones for application purposes. Some results as pyroelectric composites are also analyzed.