Choosing an APCI Material
We manufacture an extensive selection of piezoelectric elements from our specially
formulated, highest purity lead zirconate / lead titanate
ceramics. Use an APCI soft (sensor) ceramic - APC 850, APC 855,
or APC 856 - for low-power resonance or non-resonance devices,
when high coupling and/or high charge sensitivity are important.
Choose an APCI hard (high power) ceramic - APC 840, APC 841, or
APC 880 - when high power characteristics are required.
APC 850 is an excellent 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 also is 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.
APC 855 and APC 856 are suited to applications
similar to those in which APC 850 is used, when high
permittivity and high piezoelectric charge coefficients are
required. Although its properties are somewhat different from
those of APC 850, APC 856 also is an excellent material for
fluid flow sensors, level sensors, ultrasonic NDT / NDE
applications, and medical imaging applications.
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.
APCI Materials Recommended for Specific Applications
|
APCI Material* |
| Application |
842
(840) |
844
(841) |
881
(880) |
851
(850) |
854
(855) |
N/A
(856) |
|
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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
* ( ) denote APCI materials only available in limited quantities and sizes
Physical and Piezoelectric
Properties of APCI Materials
|
