Near-Net Shape Single Crystal Multilayer Electrostrictive Displacement Actuators

The proposed experimental program demonstrates the technical feasibility of creating near-net shape single crystal components of technologically important ceramics. We propose to fabricate a near-net shape single crystal multilayer electrostrictive displacement actuator using a combination of the solid state method and advanced ceramics processing. The near net shape single crystal multilayer electrostrictive displacement actuator will be fabricated as follows. First, polycrystalline ceramic bodies which have a narrow distribution of fine grains, a grain size less than a few micrometers and near theoretical density must be obtained. To accomplish this step, a theoretical density must be obtained. To accomplish this step, a highly reactive powder of a lead magnesium -lead titanate relaxor will be prepared by the sol-gel method. Then, near net shape ceramic components will be fabricated using the multilayer ceramic processing approach. The resulting near-net shape ceramic components will be converted into single crystal components by the solid state method. Finally, the near-net shape single crystal components will be assembled into a displacement actuator using the Au/Sn/Ti active blazing method. Displacement characteristics of the assembled actuator will be determined as a function of an applied electric field and the result will be compared with those of a ceramic actuator.