Characterization of polyvinylidene fluoride pressure transducers

The construction, calibration and use of a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) pressure gage is described. The transducer material, PVDF, is in the form of 12 pm films with active areas 1 cm in diameter. The gage consists of two films whose active regions are laminated together face-to-face and subsequently laminated between protective layers of polycarbonate or another suitable polymer material. Temperature compensation, which is achieved by both active and passive techniques, is described. The response of the PVDF gage to shear stresses is found to be significant but small compared to the response to an equivalent hydrostatic pressure.