A comparative study of different methods of evaluating effective electromechanical properties of 0-3 and 1-3 ceramic/polymer composites

The results of the evaluation of different effective parameters of 0-3 and 1-3 piezoactive composites are reported. For this, a matrix method previously developed for 2-2 connectivity is used and its application extended to 1-3 and 0-3 connectivities. Simulations are made with three perovskite-type ferroelectric ceramics and a vinylidene fluoride/trifluoroethylene piezoelectric polymer. Comparisons are shown and discussed between the different compositions, connectivities and other models and calculation methods. Particular attention is focused on factors leading to the appearance of extreme, discontinuity points and other features of effective parameters which are functions of volume concentrations of components (phases).