Characterization of FGM monomorph actuators fabricated using EPD

Piezoelectric FGM monomorph actuators fabricated using electrophoretic deposition (EPD) were investigated. Both the physical and electromechanical properties were examined. The high voltage performance of the actuator in both static and dynamic state was focused. It was found that the monomorph exhibits tetragonal phase perovskite structure and the gradient variation of microstructure was observed over the cross section. The displacement keeps a wide range of linearity in the static state. In the dynamic state, the vibration displacement is both frequency and voltage dependent. The resonant frequency shifts to lower frequency range due to the higher vibration loss at higher voltages. This results in the frequency dependence of the vibration limitations. The vibration limitation is also voltage dependent. Above a cutoff voltage, the displacement may not increase. To obtain a higher resonant displacement or velocity, the frequency and voltage should match well. Temperature rise or heat generation is caused by vibration loss. The maximum temperature happens at the clamped end of the monomorph. C 2005 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc.