Experimental and simulated performance of lithium niobate 1-3 piezocomposites for 2 MHz non-destructive testing applications.

Lithium niobate piezocomposites have been investigated as the active element in high temperature resistant ultrasonic transducers for non-destructive testing applications up to 400°C. Compared to a single piece of lithium niobate crystal they demonstrate shorter pulse length by 3×, elimination of lateral modes, and resistance to cracking. In a 1-3 connectivity piezocomposite for high temperature use (200-400°C), lithium niobate pillars are embedded in a matrix of flexible high temperature sealant or high temperature cement. In order to better understand the design principles and constraints for use of lithium niobate in piezocomposites experiments and modelling have been carried out. For this work the lithium niobate piezocomposites were investigated at room temperature so epoxy filler was used. 1-3 connectivity piezocomposite samples were prepared with z-cut lithium niobate, pillar width 0.3-0.6mm, sample thickness 1-4mm, pillar aspect ratio (pillar height/width) 3-6, volume fraction 30 and 45%. Operating frequency was 1-2MHz. Experimental measurements of impedance magnitude and resonance frequency were compared with 3-D finite element modelling using PZFlex. Resonance frequencies were predicted within 0.05MHz and impedance magnitude within 2-5% for samples with pillar aspect ratio ≥3 for 45% volume fraction and pillar aspect ratio ⩾6 for 30% volume fraction. Laser vibrometry of pulse excitation of piezocomposite samples in air showed that the lithium niobate pillars and the epoxy filler moved in phase. Experiment and simulation showed that the thickness mode coupling coefficient k(t) of the piezocomposite was maintained at the lithium niobate bulk value of approximately 0.2 down to a volume fraction of 30%, consistent with calculations using the (Smith and Auld, 1991) model for piezocomposites.