Structural integrity of composites with embedded piezoelectric ceramic transducer

The objective of this paper is to determine the strength reduction due to the embedment of a piezoelectric ceramic transducer in a composite. The composite was made from carbon/epoxy prepreg with a cross-ply lay-up. The transducer was embedded in the mid-plane, of the composite material. The specimens were tested in tensile and compressive static loading. It was found that the embedded piezoelectric ceramic element with its interconnectors did not reduce the strength of the composite. In tensile and compressive static tests, the final failure did not coincide with the embedded piezoelectric ceramic transducer location in the composite.