3F-3 Theoretical Effects of Epoxy Interlayer Bonds in Multilayer Piezoelectric Transducers

Interlayer bonds can have a significant effect on the electromechanical properties of a multilayer transducer. In the literature, these effects have been shown to vary with the thickness of the bond, but no valid explanation has been reported to date. This paper provides a clear explanation of the two main effects of polymer interlayers. Simulations were carried out using the PZ Flex finite element analysis package to analyze the distribution of the state parameters, strain and stress, at resonance through the thickness of the structure. The modeling also allows numerical analysis related to the conclusion that the thickness of a compliant bond is very important and should be minimized to optimize the electromechanical properties of the device. It thus provides the transducer designer with an additional conceptual and computational tool for future device improvement.