A ferroelastic switching model for lead zirconate-titanate (PZT)

This paper develops a macroscopic polarization switching model which characterizes the ferroelastic switching mechanisms inherent to lead zirconate-titanate (PZT) in a manner suitable for subsequent transducer and control design. We construct Helmholtz and Gibbs energy relations at the lattice level which quantify the internal and electrostatic energy associated with 90° and 180° dipole orientations. Equilibrium relations appropriate for homogeneous materials in the presence of thermal relaxation are determined by balancing the Gibbs and relative thermal energies using Boltzmann principles. Macroscopic models suitable for nonhomogeneous, polycrystalline compounds are constructed through stochastic homogenization techniques. Attributes and limitations of the model are illustrated through comparison with experimental PLZT data.