Advanced Electro Ceramics

Piezoelectric Tubes

CeramTec is a world leader in the design and manufacture of complex electronic ceramic components and assemblies used in a wide range of applications and cutting edge technologies. CeramTec’s Global Electroceramics Division specialises in the development and production of various rings sizes, bearing variety of electrode and metallisation configurations.

This variety of tubes is fabricated from 33 published and additional custom in-house piezoelectric material formulations to address needs such as high power, sensitivity, stability in cryogenic temperatures as also in high temperatures and extreme pressure imposing applications.

Applications include

Hydrophones
Fibre optic stretcher
Augmented reality
Torpedo decoys
Accelerometers
Pressure sensors
Print head transducers
Oil and gas exploration
Scientific equipment

Features

Choice of metallisation (Silver, Nickel, Gold and others on request)
Evaporated and chemically deposited metallisation's available
Thickness/Radial frequency tuning available on request
Wrap around electrode configuration
Wide choice of PZT formulations

CeramTec offers a wide range of striped tubes for the defence sector with an innovative design, offering lower frequency and increased drive for applications where high acoustic transmitting properties are required. Ideal for a variety of defence uses including anti-submarine warfare, torpedo decoy and countermeasure, the striped tubing can achieve typical frequencies of 12–15 kHz for a two inch tube and guarantees higher, stronger acoustic signals underwater. In contrast to a standard tube, which has three main resonance modes (length, wall and circumferential), striped tubes have one main resonance – the circumferential mode.

Typical Electrode Configurations

Tube with plain electrodes	Tube with split electrodes on outside diameter	Tube with striped electrodes

Other custom electrode configurations and metallisation’s are available on request.

Dimensional Range

	From	To

Outside Diameter	0.4mm (0.016”)	150mm (5.9”)
Inside Diameter	0.2mm (0.0079”)	140mm (5.5”)
Length	1mm (0.04”)	150mm (5.9”)

Parts can be produced to the size ranges shown, but not in every combination of dimensions expressed above.

Standard Mechanical Tolerances



Outside Diameter	±0.150mm
Inside Diameter	±0.150mm
Length	±0.05mm

Tighter mechanical tolerances are achievable but are dependent on the inside and outside diameters as well as length.

Metallisation Type



Silver fired thick film	Evaporated Nickel
Electroless nickel	Gold flash
Tin	Evaporated Gold and others available on request

Total Impedance Response Trace (Radial Resonance)

Ceramic Testing

Appropriate statistical methods ranging from AQL’s to 100% testing are used on electrical parameters in accordance with EN-50324-1. A brief summary is provided in hard copy and typically includes low field measurements of capacitance, tan delta and the main parameters used to determine piezoelectric activity. Procedures other than this can be negotiated, and additional data requirements (electronic format, sample quantity, etc) are available on request.

Useful Equations



	Capacitance
	Length frequency
	Wall thickness frequency
	Circumferential frequency
	Static displacement
	Voltage (static)
	Effective coupling factor
	Planar coupling factor
	Mechanical quality factor

There is more to discover…

With the acquisition of the Electro-Ceramics Division from Morgan Technical Ceramics, CeramTec has broadened its already extensive range of piezo-ceramic materials and products.

Discover the wide portfolio and expert know-how.