Ultrasonic Transducers for Cure Monitoring: Design, Modelling and Validation

The finite element method (FEM) has been applied to simulate the ultrasonic wave propagation in a multilayered transducer, expressly designed for high-frequency dynamic mechanical analysis of polymers. The FEM model includes an electro-acoustic (active element) and some acoustic (passive elements) transmission lines. The simulation of the acoustic propagation accounts for the interaction between the piezoceramic and the materials in the buffer rod and backing, and the coupling between the electric and mechanical properties of the piezoelectric material. As a result of the simulations, the geometry and size of the modelled ultrasonic transducer has been optimized and used for the realization of a prototype transducer for cure monitoring. The transducer performance has been validated by measuring the velocity changes during the polymerization of a thermosetting matrix of composite materials.