Resonance modes in the Standard piezoceramic shear geometry: A discussion based on finite element analysis

Several authors developed methods for the complex characterization of piezoceramics from complex impedance measurements at resonance. Alemany et al. developed an automatic iterative method, applied and reported in a first publication to four modes of resonance: (1) the length extensional mode of a thickness poled rectangular bar; (2) the length extensional mode of long rods or rectangular bars, length poled; (3) the thickness extensional mode of a thin plate and (4) the thickness shear mode of a thin plate. In a second publication it was reported the application of the method to (5) the radial mode of a thin disk, thickness poled, the most mathematically complex geometry. The (2), (3), (4) and (5) modes of resonance are sufficient for the purpose of the determination of the full set of complex elastic, dielectric and piezoelectric coefficients of piezoceramics, a 6mm symmetry material. This work presents the results of the FEA modeling of a thin plate based on the characterization of a commercial ceramic. The comparison of the experimental resonance spectra and the FEA results obtained for elastically, dielectrically and piezoelectrically homogeneous samples is presented and discussed. The complex characterization for the first time of the shear mode of a new lead-free piezoceramic is also shown.