Anisotropy Factors and Electromechanical Coupling in Lead-Free 1-3-Type Composites.

The effective electromechanical properties and anisotropy factors of novel lead-free 1-3-type composites are studied to demonstrate their large piezoelectric anisotropy and considerable level of electromechanical coupling. The composites studied contain two single-crystal (SC) components and a polymer component. The first piezoactive component is a domain-engineered [001]-poled SC based on ferroelectric alkali niobates-tantalates, and this component is in the form of a system of long rods that are parallel to the poling axis .