UV Light Curable Piezoelectric 0-3 Composites, Photopolymer Suitability and 3D Printing

The chapter is split into three studies to understand the possibilities and limitations of available materials and equipment to manufacture piezoelectric composite sensors with photopolymer matrix. Firstly, the main polymerization principles, the composition of photopolymers, and factors influencing photopolymerization are presented shortly, followed by existing limitations. The main focus of the chapter is on ceramic-filled photopolymers. The first study investigates five commercial photopolymer suitability for piezoceramic–photopolymer suspension manufacturing. The second study attempts to 3D print the composites with up to 10 vol.% PZT concentrations using two consumer-grade 3D printers. After successful 3D printing, in the third study, different piezoelectric sensor geometries are manufactured with increased piezoelectric properties thanks to 3D printing.