Electromechanical Filed Concentrations and Polarization Switching Due to Interdigitated Electrodes in Piezoelectric Macro-Fiber Composites under Tension

This work investigates the electromechanical response of piezoelectric macro-fiber composites (MFCs) under tension. Nonlinear three dimensional finite element model incorporating the polarization switching mechanism was used to predict the electromechanical fields near interdigitated electrode (IDEs) in the piezoelectric MFCs. The lead zirconate titanate (PZT) fibers in the MFC are partially poled. The electric field-induced strain was then measured, and test results were presented to validate the predictions.