Electromechanical degradation of piezoelectric patches

Piezoelectric materials (PZT) are widely used as smart structure in various aerospace applications because of their sensing, actuating and energy harvesting abilities. In this research work, the degradation of the electromechanical properties of a PZT material after various mechanical and thermal shocking conditions is experimentally studied. In particular, the relationship between resistance and peak to peak voltage of Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT-5A4E) to the degradation factor at variable frequencies and thermo-mechanical shocking conditions is considered. This research provides novel mechanism for characterizing smart structures using Mechanical Quality Factor