Electroelastic bending and polarization switching of piezoelectric laminated actuators

The static electromechanical response of piezoelectric laminated actuators is examined both theoretically and experimentally. A laminated beam theory solution is developed for the cantilever PZT/metal/PZT actuator, and the effects of electrical load on the displacements of the actuators are analyzed. The mathematical procedure of the present analysis is simple and clear, and the resulting solutions for the displacement of the cantilever laminated beam actuator are highly accurate. A nonlinear three-dimensional finite element model incorporating the polarization switching mechanism with the displacement calculation is also developed. Bending tests are used to validate the theoretical predictions, using laminated actuators made with P-713 piezoceramics and Fe-48%Ni host material. Theoretical predictions of the electromechanical displacement and polarization switching properties are in excellent agreement with measured values.