Piezoelectric Ceramic, Polymer And Ceramic/Polymer Composite Devices - Types, Materials, Apllications, New Developments, Industry Structure And Global Markets

Abstract

The piezoelectric device sector is actually not a single sector, but rather comprises a number of sectors with distinctly different characteristics. The sectors of most significance are:

• high production volume, piezoelectric device sector consisting of generic piezoelectric devices such as actuators, motors, sensors, accelerators, transducers for ultrasonic medical imaging and non-destructive testing acoustic devices, Lengevin actuators for ultrasonic welding and cleaning, ceramic resonators, and miscellaneous types of devices designed for special applications such as transformers, vibration and noise cancellation in structures limited to different grades of piezoelectric crystals, ceramics such as PZT, PVDF and composites;
• sonars for military and civil use; and
• niche applications such as energy harvesting, where piezoelectric devices such as generators offer a unique competitive advantage.

Piezo devices also include ultrasonic motors (USMs), which offer a high potential for miniaturization. These actuators produce no magnetic field since the excitation is quasi-electrostatic. Through their specific advantages compared to conventional electro-magnetic motors, USMs fill a gap in certain actuator applications. A key advantage of USMs over electromagnetic motors is their compactness, i.e. their high stall torque-mass ratio and high torque at low rotational speed, often making speed-reducing gears superfluous. Additionally, with no voltage applied, an inherent holding torque is present due to the frictional driving mechanism. It is also worthwhile to mention that their compactness and the high frequency electrical excitation make quick responses possible.

REPORT SUMMARY

New applications are emerging for piezoelectric devices, which include actuators, ultrasonic motors, sensor arrays for structural health monitoring, transformers and micro energy harvesting devices which are an alternative to batteries in microwatt devices. Other new applications include high resolution ultrasonic medical imaging, computer disk drives, and accelerometers in mobile phones and notebooks.

Unlike other piezo devices, commercialization of piezoelectric-operated actuators and motors is likely to proceed in those markets where the specific advantages of high torque, high precision and lack of magnetic interference are particularly useful. When the costs can be lowered to competitive levels, and remaining technical problems such as frictional wear can be solved, piezoelectric motors may also become candidates in areas such as automotive accessories, where very high volume markets are possible.

The global market for traditional piezoelectric devices is quite mature in applications. However, the global market for new piezoelectric devices will see a robust two-digit growth rate in next five years.

Major findings of this report are:

• The global market for the existing eleven generic types of piezoelectric devices now equals US $10.6 billion and is expected to reach $19.5 billion by 2012
• Among the nine markets, information technology/robots (31.7%), is the clear leader, followed by semiconductor manufacturing and precision machines (18.6%), sonar (12.5%), and bio/medical (11.1%). Other sectors that complete the total market are ecology and energy harvesting (7%), accelerators and sensors (5.8%), non-destructive testing (5.7%) and miscellaneous (gas igniters, piezo printing heads, telecommunication devices) (4.5%), acoustic devices and resonators(3.1%)
• New devices such as piezoelectric generators will see the highest growth rate, estimated to be 51.5% annually. This category is followed by ceramic resonators (27.5%); miscellaneous applications (high voltage devices-gas igniters, piezoelectric elements in laser mirror alignments, acousto-optic modulators, piezoelectric drivers and piezoelectric amplifiers (19.8%); accelerators and sensors (14%); ultrasonic motors (13.4%); and transformers(13.6%). Ultrasonic motors will see 14.6% growth over five years.
• Traditional devices also will see growth, including acoustic devices (13.6%), actuators for computer disk drives (11.6%); Langevin actuators for welding and cleaning (14.6%); sonars (6.75%), transducers (14%); and gas igniters, piezo printing heads, diesel injectors, and piezo amplifiers (19.8%).
• In 2007, Japan has the highest market share of 26%, followed by Europe with 24%, china with 18%, North America with 14%, Korea with 8% and the rest of the world with 10%. By 2012, china will occupy second position ahead of Europe, with a 22% share of the global market.