This paper is concerned with the fatigue characteristics of LIPCA (LIghtweight Piezo-Composite Actuator) device systems, composed of a piezoelectric ceramic layer and fiber reinforced light composite layers, where the PZT ceramic layer is typically sandwiched by a top fiber layer with a low CTE (coefficient of thermal expansion) and base layers with a high CTE. The advantages of the LIPCA design include the use of lightweight fiber reinforced plastic layers without compromising the generation of a high force and large displacement, and design flexibility in selecting the fiber direction and size of the prepreg layers. In addition, a LIPCA device can be manufactured without adhesive layers since epoxy resin plays role of bonding material. To investigate the degradation of the actuation performance of LIPCAs due to repeated fatigue loading, repeated loading tests up to several million cycles were performed and the actuation displacement for a given excitation voltage measured during the test. The fatigue characteristics were measured using an actuator test system consisting of an actuator-supporting jig, high-voltage actuating power supplier, and non-contact laser measuring system and evaluated.

Date Published: 5 August 2003
PDF: 6 pages
Proc. SPIE 5056, Smart Structures and Materials 2003: Smart Structures and Integrated Systems, (5 August 2003); doi: 10.1117/12.483398

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 5056:
Smart Structures and Materials 2003: Smart Structures and Integrated Systems
Amr M. Baz, Editor(s)