Preparation and polarization of 0–3 cement based piezoelectric composites

Piezoelectric composites using cement as matrix can solve the mismatch problem of smart composites and concrete structure. In this study, a 0–3 cement based piezoelectric composite was fabricated with lead zirconate titanate (PZT) as active phase and sulphoaluminate cement as matrix by compressing technique. The optimum poling conditions were obtained. The reasons that affect the degree of the poling were discussed, and the approach of solving these problems were put forward. The results show that the optimum poling field E, poling time t and poling temperature T were 4.0 kV/mm, 45 min and 120 °C, respectively. In the course of the poling, the leakage current was chiefly caused by the interface pore, the cement matrix pore and their inner water, which has a significant influence on the degree of the poling.