Transversely reinforced piezoelectric composites

Piezoelectric PZT-polymer composites of 1-3 and 1-3-0 connectivity are described which are transversely reinforced with glass fibers to increase the hydrostatic piezoelectric charge and voltage coefficients for possible use in hydrophone applications. These composites consisted of a foamed (with porosity) polymer matrix with PZT rods aligned to the poling direction and glass fibers in the remaining two transverse directions. Because of the small percentage of PZT required, these composites have densities near that of water, and much lower dielectric constants than solid PZT, resulting in large increases in the hydrostatic piezoelectric voltage coefficient. By increasing these two coefficients their product, used as the figure of merit, is greatly enhanced.