SOL-GEL DEPOSITED THICK FILM BISMUTH TITANATE BASED TRANSDUCER ACHIEVES OPERATION OVER 600° C

Abstract

Piezoelectric bismuth titanate based thick film transducers were deposited onto steel substrates using a sol‐gel deposition method. The coated samples were microwave sintered at a temperature of 850° C for 10 minutes. Samples had d33 values in the range of 10–18 pC/N with signal to noise ratios up to 64 dB on a 1.6 cm thick steel block at room temperature. The films tested proved to be capable of ultrasonic wave generation up to and over temperatures of 650° C.