Iterative evaluation of the complex constants of piezoceramic resonators in the thickness mode

An iterative method is presented for the characterization of lossy piezoelectric materials in the thickness resonant mode, which allows to calculate the frequencies at which the electrical impedance is to be measured. This new method considerably reduces the measurement time by separating the programs for data acquisition and for processing thus simplifying the measurement procedure. The accuracy of the method was tested for several piezoceramic materials, covering a wide range of values of the thickness coupling factor and mechanical quality factor. The new method proved to be as accurate as other iterative methods, but it is easier to apply.