Piezo Electrode Patterns

APC's standard electrode material for piezo discs, rings, and plates is a fired on silver material. APC offers a variety of piezo electrode patterns including: solid, wrap-around, side-tab, insulation band, and bull's-eye patterns.

APC can apply customer specific patterns or alternative electrode materials (nickel, gold, etc.). Upon request, APC will polish the electrodes of a customer's piezoelectric ceramics.

Solid Pattern
The solid electrode pattern is the most common or “standard” electrode pattern that is applied to piezoelectric ceramics manufactured by American Piezo. APC’s solid electrode pattern is applied using a silk screening process to the positive and negative surfaces of the ceramic. The entire ceramic is then polarized to give it its piezoelectric properties. The solid electrode pattern is the most cost effective pattern to be manufactured and therefore results in a less expensive piezoelectric ceramic for the end customer.

Wrap-around
Another common electrode pattern applies to piezoelectric ceramics is the wrap-around electrode pattern. This pattern is sometimes referred to as “WFB” or “with feedback”. The wrap-around electrode pattern is typically applied to “thinner” piezo ceramics, where the thickness is 2.00 mm or less. The un-electroded band on the electrode pattern must be as wide as the part is thick making this pattern impractical for use on very thick parts of parts with a very small electrode surface area. Due to variations in wrap-around electrode pattern placement and dimensions, APC will often request a drawing or sketch of the desired electrode pattern from the customer. The wrap-around electrode pattern is typically used when a customer desires to connect electrical leads to the same surface of the ceramic. This may be necessary if the customer desires to then bond the opposite surface of the ceramic against a flat surface.

Side Tab
The side tab electrode pattern can be used if the thickness of a ceramic is too great, relative to the electrode surface area, for the wrap-around electrode pattern. The side tap electrode pattern allows for an alternate connection to the front face of the piezoelectric ceramic when a wrap-around electrode pattern cannot be applied.

Insulation Band
The insulation band electrode pattern is designed to have a reduced electrode with electrical insulation. The isolation band electrode pattern is used to isolate an electrical input from a casing or housing. The pattern can be applied to both the positive and negative surfaces of a ceramic. The isolation band electrode pattern can also be used to change the capacitance of a piezoelectric ceramic.

Bull’s-eye
With the bull’s-eye electrode pattern, the bottom surface, the sides, and a portion of the top surface are electroded. The top surface of the ceramic has a reduced electrode pattern with an insulation band separating the positive and negative electrodes. The insulation band on the bull’s-eye needs to be as thick as the ceramic. The bull’s-eye pattern is typically used in nebulizer and knock sensor applications.

Custom Electrode Patterns
APC is able to apply a wide variety of customer specified electrode patterns. Please contact your APC Representative to discuss custom electrode pattern options.

Please follow the links below to see some of the standard electrode patterns applied to the piezoelectric ceramics manufactured by APC International.

Electrode Patterns for Piezo Discs

Electrode Patterns for Piezo Rings

Electrode Patterns for Piezo Plates