Electro-mechanical characterization of high-performance piezoactuators

Piezoelectric actuators are particularly suitable for integration into ''smart structures.'' A basic understanding of the electro-mechanical properties of piezoactuators is required to develop high-performance ''smart-structure'' applications. The high mechanical and electric load on the actuators is typical of these applications, but very little data material is as yet available here. This contribution presents suitable measurement methodologies and systems for the application-oriented characterization of piezoelectric high-load actuators, and the results are discussed.