Preparation of high gamma (.alpha.)phase poly(vinylidene fluoride) piezoelectric materials
AssigneePennwalt Corporation
InventorOliver S. Sprout, Jr.
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Abstract
The piezoelectric and pyroelectric activity of vinylidene fluoride polymers is enhanced by treating the polymers with a glow discharge at a reduced pressure. The treatment is believed to convert a portion of the .alpha. phase crystal content of the polymers to the .gamma. phase. Piezoelectric and pyroelectric elements are formed by metallizing a film of the treated polymer and poling the metallized film.
Claims7
A process for increasing the piezoelectric activity of a vinylidene fluoride polymer containing an .alpha. crystalline phase and having an .alpha./.beta. ratio of at least about 0.05 comprising treating the polymer with a glow discharge at reduced pressure to convert a portion of the .alpha. crystalline phase to .gamma. crystalline phase and then poling the polymer in an electric field.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.