Fully coupled, multi-axial, symmetric constitutive laws for polycrystalline ferroelectric ceramics (Q5958031)

The author constructs a general form for multi-axial constitutive equations for ferroelectric ceramics on the basis of Helmholtz free energy and the thermodynamical constraint of dissipation inequality. Switching surfaces and associated flow rules in a modified stress and electric field space are postulated. Changes in linear elastic, dielectric and piezoelectric properties of the material are included at the switching surface. As a result, tangent moduli relating increments of stress and electric fields to increments of strain and electric displacement are symmetric. Parameters of the model are determined for two uncoupled cases, namely for non-remanent straining ferroelectrics and for purely ferroelectric switching. The fully coupled ferroelectric case is also examined. The foundations of the approach are to be found in papers by the undersigned and co-workers published in the late 1980s. A comparison of the fully coupled theory with recent experimental measurements appears to be favorable.