Applications by type of ceramic material

As already explained in the "Piezoceramic Materials" section, a distinction is made between "soft" and "hard" PZT ceramics. The differences in the parameters manifest themselves in the respective applications.

The most important fields of application of the "soft" piezoelectric ceramics are actuators for micro- and nanopositioning, sensors and electro-acoustic applications (sound transmitters and receivers). Advantages of the "soft" PZT materials lie in the high piezo modulus, moderately high permittivity and high coupling coefficients.

Piezoceramic actuators make use of the deformation of the piezoelectric material when an electric field is applied. The high resolution of the change in length and large mechanical load capacity of piezoelectric ceramic are of particular interest in high-tech fields (semi-conductors, optics and telecommunications, etc.), and also, to an increasing extent, in the automotive field (fuel injection systems), for micropumps, pneumatic valve technology and vibration damping.