A low voltage piezoelectric stack is a monolithic ceramic construction of many thin piezoceramic layers which are connected in parallel electrically. The principal characteristics of the stack are: a high energy conversion efficiency, low voltage operation, large force, low motion, fast response, and no EMI.
Motion may be increased, at the expense of force, by mechanical amplification. The stack offers a high energy density in a small package. Due to its superior compressive strength, it provides a high load bearing capability. However, it is relatively weak in tension.
Generally, excitation should be applied only in the direction of polarization. Hysteresis is typically about 15% in static applications.
