Mechanical stress and electric potential in cymbal piezoceramics by FEA

A study of the electric potential and mechanical stress distributions by finite element analysis (FEA) of the cymbal piezocomposites was attempted for both the resonant and the off-resonant modes. The stress concentration has been proved to reduce the performance of the cymbals and is on the origin of the further degradation issues. It is possible to eliminate some part of the stress concentration by removing a portion of the ceramic where the maximum stress concentration is observed or by the modification of the bonding layer. Several FEA ATILA((R)) models were generated to analyse the stress distribution behaviour of cymbals with different grooves. Unexpected high electric field concentration is observed associated to the mechanical stress of the resonant modes. These analyses invalidate resonant applications of cymbals. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.