Temperature effects on the mechanical behaviour of PZT 95/5

This research is to develop a better understanding of the piezoelectric ceramic lead zirconate titanate (PZT) 95/5 with varying temperatures, porosities and strain rates. Here, unpoled PZT samples of two different porosities were subjected to a range of compression rates, using quasi-static loading equipment, drop-weight towers and Split Hopkinson Pressure Bars (SHPBs). Varying temperatures were achieved using purpose-made environmental chambers. The resulting stress-strain relationships are compared. The samples were square tiles, 7.5 × 7.5 mm and 3 mm thickness. The density of the standard PZT used here was 7.75 g cm−3 (henceforth described as PZT), whilst the density of the higher porosity PZT was 7.38 g cm−3 (henceforth described as PPZT). This research is part of a wider study.