- High quality components
- Tight mechanical tolerances
- High geometric flexibility (OD 2 mm to 80 mm)
- Screen printed and sputtered electrodes available, including wrap-around contacts and structured electrodes
- Optional: Manufacturing of industrial-quality assemblies, including contacting with wires or flexible circuit boards
Piezoelectric discs have a wide range of applications, particularly in ultrasonic technology, but also in sensor and actuator applications. The selection of the appropriate piezoceramic material always depends on the specific requirements of the respective application. Piezo discs can be produced in various designs and sizes.
In industrial ultrasonic technology, piezo components are used, for instance, in flow rate sensors or for non-destructive material testing. They are also utilized in medical technology to precisely detect life-threatening air bubbles in infusion lines.
By precisely refining piezo components, individual, application-specific properties can be achieved. The discs can also be combined to create more complex functional units, such as transducer elements.
Specifications
With more than thirty years of expertise in the development and production of piezoceramics, PI Ceramic offers end-to-end service extending from the selection of the suitable material through to the development of customized, application-based solutions.
The dimensions of the piezo discs can be specified according to your needs within defined limits. To receive a feasibility assessment, please send us your requirements or the desired dimensions of the discs.
Outer diameter OD [mm] | 2 - 80 |
Thickness TH [mm] | 0.15 - 30 |
Electrodes | Thick layer (Ag), thin layer (Ag, Au, CuNi, Cu, NiV), electroless nickel |
Electrode designs | Choose between various designs: full-surface, wrap-around, side tab, insulation band, straight wrap-around, full wrap-around (see right column) |
Termination | Various termination methods are available, such as soldering or bonding wires and flexible circuit boards. |
Polarization direction | Depending on the design of the piezo components, it is possible to achieve displacements in an axial and radial direction. For further information see >> Operating Modes. |
Material | We offer various ferroelectric soft and hard PTZ materials and lead-free alternatives. A material overview can be found >> here. The corresponding datasheets are available >> here. |
Added capabilitites | In addition to higher refinement, various technologies are possible, such as the following:
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Applications | Piezoceramic rings are well-suited for a variety of sensor and actuator applications. Examples of potential uses can be found >> here. |
Operating Modes
The use of piezoceramic discs as sensors follows the principle of the direct piezoelectric effect. Whenever a mechanical load, such as pressure or ultrasound, is exerted on the ceramics, the piezo component generates an electric signal.
When used as an actuator, the piezo disc produces mechanical displacement when a voltage is applied. This displacement can take the form of static deformation under direct current, or oscillation—such as in the ultrasonic range—under alternating current. Depending on the design of the piezo component, the motion may occur in either the longitudinal or radial direction. The deflection amplitude is determined by both the size of the piezo disc and the applied voltage.
For discs with positive polarization direction at the top and negative at the bottom, the following deflection directions result:

Whenever there is an axial displacement (d33 effect), a smaller deformation is always also generated in a radial direction (d31 effect).
To reach certain frequencies in the axial vibration mode, it is necessary to change the disc thickness. For frequencies in a radial direction, their diameters have to be adjusted. The following applies for both variants: The larger they are, the smaller the frequency.
To achieve greater axial deflection with minimal radial deflection, the piezo discs can be manufactured as 1-3 composites.

The combination of piezo material and polymer results in high electromechanical coupling and a high bandwidth of the >> composite discs.
- Air bubble detection
- Flow metering
- Mesh nebulizers
- Surgical scalpels
- Ultrasonic cleaning
- Precision positioning
- Level measurement
- Micropumps
- Flow metering
- Pressure sensors
- Non-destructive testing
- Hydro acoustics