Mechanisms of depolarization of Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 AND Pb(Zr0.95Ti0.05)O3 ferroelectrics under transverse shock compression

Poled ferroelectrics are key components of autonomous explosive-driven pulsed power systems. Shock depolarization of ferroelectrics is a basic physical effect providing prime electrical power to autonomous systems. In this paper we report results of experimental studies of shock-induced and thermal-induced depolarization, and X-Ray diffraction of lead zirconate titanate ferroelectrics of two different compositions, PbZr_0.52Ti_0.48O₃ (PZT 52/48) and PbZr_0.95Ti_0.05O₃ (PZT 95/5). Specimens were shock loaded perpendicular to the polarization vector. The experimental results indicate that the shock induced depolarization mechanisms are different for these two compositions. Thus, the shock-induced charge released by PZT 52/48 is less than half of its remnant polarization. PZT 52/48 is transformed to a state with lower polarization, while PZT 95/5 under the same loading conditions undergoes a phase transition to a non-polar antiferroelectric phase and completely depolarized as a result of this phase transition.