New Aspects in Ferroelectric Energy Sources for Impact Fuzes

In order to find materials with increased specific electrical energy, especially for impact fuzes, the irreversible conversion of mechanical to electrical energy in ferroelectric ceramics of the Pb(Zr₁-_xTi_x) O₃ type with a considerable proportion of zirconium is studied. The depolarization of the ceramics is measured for shock compressions between 0 and 30 kbar. The maximum electrical energy, obtained at about 18 kbar, is of the order of 1.8 J/cm³ with Pb(Zr_0.965Ti_0.035)0³ + 1% Nb₂O₅ and of the order of 0.8 J/cm³ with a Pb(Zr_0.54Ti_0.46)0³ + 1% Nb₂0₅. As an example for application, the initiation of a 3.5 ω bridge wire PETN detonator is described.