IMASONIC's piezocomposite technology

The concept of a ceramic-polymer piezoelectric composite structure is found mainly in the forms known as “1-3 connectivity” and “2-2 connectivity”.

• In 1-3 connectivity, fine ceramic rods are coated with a polymer binding agent.
• In 2-2 connectivity, fine ceramic blades are coated with a polymer binding agent.

The properties of the resulting structure are linked to the properties of the constituent materials and to the geometric characteristics of the structure itself.

The design of a piezocomposite transducer makes use of the mechanical, electrical et piezoelectrical properties of a type 1-3 or 2-2 structure within a stack of passive layers (non-piezoelectric). This multi-layer structure is then interconnected and encapsulated to form a complete transducer, also known as a probe or applicator depending on the field of application.

Imasonic makes use of different forms of the ceramic-polymer piezoelectric composite structure concept. Many functional and technical needs can be covered through various applications of this technology:

• Transducers with high electroacoustic efficiency and wide bandwidth
• Annular, linear, matrix array transducers
• Transducers with a geometry allowing focusing, defocusing or scanning the ultrasound beam
• Flexible transducers
• High power level transducers, pulsed or continuous
• Transducers that are solid, resistant to high usage levels, mechanical, thermal, chemical, etc.

Papers

"Piezocomposite technology : An innovative approach to the improvement of N.D.T. performance using ultrasounds", J. Poguet, P. Dumas, G. Fleury – IMASONIC S.A. ,8th European Conference on Non Destructive Testing, June 2002, Barcelona, Spain
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"Improvements of Ultrasonic Inspections through the use of Piezo Composite Transducers", G.Fleury - IMASONIC S.A., C.Gondard - CEA, 6th European Conference on Non Destructive Testing, October 1994, Nice France
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