TDS PIEZOTECH® FILMS
Fluorinated Plectroactive Polymers

Electroactive Polymers for Organic Electronics

Table of Contents
I.

Piezoelectric and pyroelectric effects .......................................................................... 3II.

Piezoelectric films ............................................................................................................. 3

III.

Characteristics properties of piezoelectric films .......................................................... 3

IV.

Properties of piezoelectric films and sheets .............................................................. 4V.

Field of applications ......................................................................................................... 5

VI.

PVDF Piezoelectric Films Properties(1) ......................................................................... 6

VI.1

General Properties .................................................................................................... 6

VI.2

PVDF Bi-oriented film – 9 µm(1) ................................................................................. 7

VI.3

Piezotech® FC20 – 20 µm(1) ....................................................................................... 7

VI.4

Piezotech® FC25 – 20 µm(1) ....................................................................................... 8

VI.5

Piezotech® FC30 – 20 µm(1) ....................................................................................... 8

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Electroactive Polymers for Organic Electronics

I.

Piezoelectric and pyroelectric effectsSince the discovery in 1880, by the brothers Jacques and Pierre Currie, of thepiezoelectric effect shown by the some simple asymmetric crystals, the phenomena
has raised a lot of interest. “Piezoelectricity” finds its roots in the Greek word “piezo”
which means pressure. When certain materials are subjected to mechanical stress,
electrical charges proportional to the stress appear on their surface. Conversely, when
an electric potential difference is applied to these materials, mechanical deformation
occurs. This effect is known as piezoelectricity. Similarly, when the temperature of thematerial is changed, an electric potential appears between its terminals: it is called
the pyroelectric effect. Quartz and some ceramics are widely used in themanufacture of mechanical and acoustic transducers taking advantage of these
phenomena. The surfaces of these materials are small and highly rigid.

II.

Piezoelectric films

Kawai was the first one to discover on 1969 a highly noticeable piezoelectric effect on
polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). This material is the most studied and utilized
piezoelectric polymer. However, commercialized piezo films only appeared on theworld market in 1981.
Piezoelectricity can be obtained by orienting the molecular dipoles of polar polymers
such as PVDF in the same direction by subjecting appropriate films to an intenseelectric field: this is polarization. This polarization is mainly attributable to the spatial
arrangement of the segments of the macromolecular chains, and the contribution of
the injected charges to the piezoelectric effect is of secondary importance.

III.

Characteristics properties of piezoelectric films

The piezoelectric activity of piezoelectric films is determined by the coefficients ofproportionality between the mechanical causes and the electrical effects. The
coefficients “d” are obtained by measuring the density of charge (Coulomb/m²)
which appears on the surfaces of the film (direction 3 = thickness) when a mechanicalstress of 1 Newton/m² is applied.


Depending on the thickness: d33
In the plane of the film, in the direction of the machine: d31
In the plane of the film, in the transverse direction: d32

In the first case, if the film cannot be deformed freely in its plane, the piezoelectricconstant is called d33* or dT. The coefficients “d” are expressed in Coulomb/Newton(C/N).

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Electroactive Polymers for Organic Electronics

If the variation in the electric field is measured per unit of stress, coefficients “g” areobtained. These are connected with coefficients “d” by the correlation g = d/ε, where
ε is the dielectric constant depending on the thickness of the film. Coefficients “g” areexpressed in V.m/N. Constants “g” and “d” are most widely used for the design ofelectromechanical transducers. The conversion of mechanical energy into electricalenergy is represented by the electromechanical coupling coefficient KT expressedin %:𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦
𝐾𝑇 = √
𝐼𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦
The pyroelectric constant “ρ” is the density of the charge at the surface (C/m²) when
the film temperature is raised by 1 degree Kelvin; “ρ” is expressed as C/m²K. The
coefficient is used for designing thermal pick-ups.
Furthermore, the films are characterized by their mechanical properties: their modulusof elasticity, resistance and elongation at break.

IV.

Properties of piezoelectric films and sheets

The range of piezoelectric films presents a unique combination of properties to themarkets: Flexibility (possibility of application on non-level surfaces) High mechanical strength Dimensional stability
 Balanced piezoelectric activity in the plane of the film
 High and stable piezoelectric coefficients
 Characteristic chemical inertness
 Continuous polarization for great length spooled onto drums
 Thickness between 9µm and 1mm
 Acoustic impedance close to that of water with a flat response curve
The characteristic properties of our range of piezoelectric films and sheets, mono orbi-oriented are given in the table and diagram below. Various type of metallization
can be applied to these films, depending on their application.

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Electroactive Polymers for Organic Electronics

V.

Field of applications

The properties of PVDF piezoelectric films suggest that they can be considered fordevelopments in numerous fields of applications where experimentation shows
encouraging results.
Acoustic components- Microphones- Ultrasonic detector- Hydrophones- Sonars
Electrical equipments- Switches- Miniature electric fans
Medical instrumentation- Catheter- Pedobarography- Osteogenesis- Medical echography- Blood pressure detector
Sport and leisure- Tennis court line
- Display panel on sport grounds- Impact detector if shooting targets

Robotics- Artificial sensitive skin
- Pressure sensors
Security devices- Intruder alarm- IR alarms- Vibration sensors
Optical devices- Laser diameter measurement- Variable mirrors
Transports- Automotive detection on roads- Weighing vehicles
Pressure pick-ups- Distribution of pressure on surfaces- Localization of impacts- Pick-ups for non destructive testing- Accelerometer- Keyboards

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Electroactive Polymers for Organic Electronics

VI.

PVDF Piezoelectric Films Properties(1)VI.1 General Properties
Characteristics

Bioriented Films

Available thickness (µm)

9 / 25Thickness regularity (%)± 10

Piezoelectric properties

Bioriented Films

dT = d33*, (10-12 C/N)

13 to 22d31* (10-12 C/N)

6 to 10d32* (10-12 C/N)

6 to 10Regularity of piezoelectric coefficients, (%)± 10

Variation of the coefficients at metallization, (%)

0 to 15 (2)Relative dielectric constant ε/ε0 (ε0 = 8.85.10-12 F/m,between 50 Hz and 100 kHz, T° = 25°C to 90°C)

10 to 12g33* (V.m/N)

0.14 to 0.22

Pyroelectric coefficient, ρ (10-6 C/m2.K)

24 to 26

Transverse resistivity (.cm-1)

5.1014

Electromechanic coupling factor KT (%)

10 to 15

Mechanical properties

Bioriented Films

Tensile strength (MPa)-

Machine direction
Transverse

60 – 160
60 – 160

Elongation at break (%)-

Machine direction

40 – 140-Transverse

40 – 140

Modulus of elasticity (MPa)-

Machine direction

1600 – 2200-Transverse

1600 – 2200

Shrinkage after 1 hour, Oven at 160°C (%):
-Machine direction

2 – 15-Transverse

1 – 13

Shrinkage after 100 hour, Oven at 80°C (%):- Machine direction

2–3- Transverse
N.A.
(1): Constants are given as indicative value, it depends strongly on processing
conditions (annealing & poling) and on temperature(2): Excessive heating may destroy piezoelectricity. It is advised not to heat above
90 °C for more than 1 hour.

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Electroactive Polymers for Organic Electronics

VI.2 PVDF Bi-oriented film – 9 µm(1)Piezo/Pyroelectric Properties (at 23°C)
d33 (pC/N)

16 ± 20%d31 (pC/N)

6 ± 20%d32 (pC/N)

6 ± 20%g33 (V.m/N) at 1 kHz

0.15 ± 20%

p3 (µC/m2K)-20 ± 25%

Dielectric properties (at 23°C)

εr at 1 kHz

11.5 ± 10%

tan δ at 1 kHz

0.015 ± 10%

DC breakdown voltage

750 ± 30%

Mechanical properties (at 23°C)

Young’s modulus (MPa)2500 ± 20%

Thermal properties (at 23°C)

Melting point (°C)
173 ± 5%(1): Constants are given as indicative value, it depends strongly on processing
conditions (annealing & poling) and on temperature.

VI.3 Piezotech® FC20 – 20 µm(1)Piezo/Pyroelectric Properties (at 23°C)
d33 (pC/N)-28 ± 10%d31 (pC/N)

6 ± 10%d32 (pC/N)

6 ± 10%g33 (V.m/N) at 1 kHz

0.2 ± 20%

P3 (µC/m²K)-30 ± 25%

Dielectric properties (at 23°C)
εr at1 kHz

10 to 11 ± 10%

tan δ at 1 kHz

0.016 ± 10%

Mechanical properties (at 23°C)
Young’s modulus (MPa)2600 ± 20%

Thermal properties (at 23°C)
Melting point (°C)

150 ± 5%

Curie Temperature (°C)

136 ± 5%

(1) Constants are given as indicative value, it depends strongly on processing
conditions (annealing & poling) and on temperature.

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VI.4 Piezotech® FC25 – 20 µm(1)Piezo/Pyroelectric Properties (at 23°C)
d33 (pC/N)-26 ± 10%d31 (pC/N)

6 ± 10%d32 (pC/N)

6 ± 10%g33 (V.m/N) at 1 kHz

0.18 ± 20%

Dielectric properties (at 23°C)
εr at 1 kHz

10 to 11 ± 10%tan δ at 1 kHz

0.016 ± 10%

Mechanical properties (at 23°C)
Young’s modulus (MPa)1000 ± 20%

Thermal properties (at 23°C)
Melting point (°C)

150 ± 5%

Curie Temperature (°C)
117 ± 5%
(1) Constants are given as indicative value, it depends strongly on processing
conditions (annealing & poling) and on temperature

VI.5 Piezotech® FC30 – 20 µm(1)Piezo/Pyroelectric Properties (at 23°C)
d33 (pC/N)-24 ± 10%d31 (pC/N)

6 ± 10%d32 (pC/N)

6 ± 10%g33 (V.m/N) at 1 kHz

0.2 ± 20%

Dielectric properties (at 23°C)
εr at 1 kHz

10 to 11 ± 10%

tan δ at 1 kHz

0.016 ± 10%

Mechanical properties (at 23°C)
Young’s modulus (MPa)1400 ± 20%

Thermal properties (at 23°C)
Melting point (°C)

150 ± 5%

Curie Temperature (°C)
100 ± 5%
(1) Constants are given as indicative value, it depends strongly on processing
conditions (annealing & poling) and on temperature

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Contact Information
Piezotech
Arkema-CRRA
Rue Henri Moissan69496 Pierre-Benite Cedex
FRANCE

Info.piezotech@arkema.com
Phone: +33 4 72 39 87 03
www.piezotech.eu

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