We manufacture an extensive selection of piezoelectric elements from our specially formulated, highest purity lead zirconate / lead titanate ceramics. Use an APC soft (sensor) ceramic - APC 850 or Type VI material - for low-power resonance or non-resonance devices, when high coupling and/or high charge sensitivity are important. Choose an APC hard (high power) ceramic - APC 840, APC 841, or APC 880 - when high power characteristics are required.

APC 850 is an excellent piezoelectric material for flow or level sensors, such as ultrasonic or Doppler flow meters, gas flow sensors, and ultrasonic level sensors, for ultrasonic NDT / NDE applications, or for accurate inspections of automotive, structural, or aerospace products (construction materials, structural welds, transmission lines, steel storage tanks). APC 850 is also ideal for high performance transducers for medical imaging applications. A high dielectric constant, high coupling, high charge sensitivity, high density with a fine grain structure, a high Curie point, and a clean, noise-free frequency response are characteristic of APC 850.

Type VI material is well suited to applications similar to those in which APC 850 is used, when high permittivity and high piezoelectric charge coefficients are required.

APC 840 and APC 841 materials are widely used for generating ultrasonic or high-voltage energy in ultrasonic cleaners, sonar devices, etc. Important characteristics of APC 841 include a high piezoelectric charge constant (d33) relative to reference values for this formulation, greater power output per volume of material, a high mechanical quality factor that reduces mechanical loss and allows a lower operating temperature, and a low dissipation factor that ensures cooler, more economical operation.

High dielectric stability and low mechanical loss under demanding conditions make APC 880 an excellent choice when the highest electrical drive is required.

APC Piezoelectric Materials Recommendations for Specific Applications

Application	840 (842)	841 (844)	880 (881)	850 (851)	Type VI
accelerometers
bilaminar actuators
cryogenic SEMs
flow meters
gas ignitors, impact-type
gas ignitors, squeeze-type
high frequency transducers
high power actuators
high stress pressure sensors
hydrophones
level sensors
medical monitoring / medical diagnostic
microphones
motors, vibratory
precise movement control
pressure sensors
thickness gauges
transformers
ultrasonic atomizers
ultrasonic cleaners
ultrasonic micro-bonding
ultrasonic mixing / dispersion
ultrasonic surgery
ultrasonic welding
underwater echo sounders

For more information about APC International’s piezoelectric materials please consult the following: