To understand piezoelectric materials, it is crucial to know about the property called piezoelectricity.  It refers to the electric charge that is accumulated in certain solid materials when mechanical stress is applied. When dimensional change is imposed on dielectric, a voltage is generated, which is called the direct effect. Also, the application of an electric field to a dielectric leads to dimensional change, which is known as the inverse effect. The materials that show this property are known as piezoelectric materials. Some of the examples of piezoelectric materials are quartz, apatite, and aluminum nitride. These materials are utilized as sensors to measure strain, force, or acceleration and convert them into an electric signal. Another application of piezoelectric materials is as ultrasonic transducers for medical applications. 

Piezoelectric materials have the ability to transform their shape and have a high degree of stiffness during their exposure to mechanical stress. These materials are extensively utilized in the formulation of a wide range of electronic goods including actuators, sensors, transducers, SONAR, generators, and motors, which in turn will augment market growth over the forecast period.

The Discovery of Piezoelectricity

In 1880 brothers Pierre Curie and Jacques Curie were working at the Faculty of Sciences of Paris as laboratory assistants. They discovered that applying pressure to crystals such as quartz, tourmaline, and Rochelle salt generates electrical charges on the surface of these materials. This conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy is called the direct piezoelectric effect. “Piezo” is a Greek word which means “to press.”

The converse effect, that the application of an electrical field to these materials results in the internal generation of a mechanical strain, was predicted by Gabriel Lippman in 1881, through mathematical deduction from fundamental thermodynamic principles. This inverse piezoelectric effect was quickly demonstrated by the Curies through an experiment. The discovery of piezoelectricity fostered a substantial interest in the European scientific community, and piezoelectricity became a fresh field of research in the last quarter of the 19th century. This research culminated in Woldemar Voigt’s Lehrbuch der Kristallphysik (Textbook on Crystal Physics), published in 1910, which explained about the 20 classes of natural crystal in which piezoelectric effects occur.

Piezoelectric Materials Market Perspective

According to a detailed report by DataIntelo, The Global Piezoelectric Materials Market is anticipated to grow with a substantial CAGR, during the forecast period, 2020-2026. The growing popularity of piezoceramics on account of exhibiting high dielectric constant for the production of electronic goods is anticipated to drive industry growth.

Top companies are leveraging various opportunities for competing in the global market. Over the past few years, major manufacturing companies have been increasing spending on the integration of automation systems as a vital tool to cut operational costs during production. Surging the importance of automation in the manufacturing sector as a tool for growing efficiency and cutting lead time is anticipated to promote the utilization of actuators which in turn is projected to fuel the demand for piezoelectric materials in the coming years.

Since piezoelectric materials have a high degree of stiffness when exposed to mechanical stress and possess the ability to change shape, these materials are now frequently utilized in the formulation of various electronic goods such as actuators, transducers, sensors, SONAR, generators, and motors. Moreover, companies are taking advantage of the rising demand for photovoltaic cells in developed countries such as the U.S. and Germany because of regulatory support regarding Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) is anticipated to fuel the demand over the forecast period. Conversely, the rising demand for substitutes such as dielectric and inherently conductive polymers in manufacturing actuators is estimated to hamper the growth rate.

COVID-19 Impact on Piezoelectric Materials Market

The outlook of COVID-19 impact can be divided under the following possible scenarios:

• According to the optimistic scenario, the global piezoelectric materials market is anticipated to remain under the massive impact of COVID-19 in the first quarter of 2020, and from the second quarter, the demand is expected to rise.
• Under the probabilistic scenario, the market is expected to remain under the strong influence of the crisis until the second quarter, and from the third quarter onwards, the situation will alleviate.

Market Segmentation

On the basis of product, the global market for piezoelectric materials can be segmented into ceramics, polymers, composites, and others. Ceramics was the most widely utilized product accounting for a substantial share of the global industry size in 2019. Surging demand for ceramic-based lead zirconate titanate (PZT) as a result of the product’s ability to showcase significant displacement and induce high voltage is projected to remain a major growth factor over the next few years.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific registered a massive amount of sales revenue in 2019 and is anticipated to observe significant gains in light of the presence of electronic manufacturing units in China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

The increasing automotive sector in China and India as a result of investments by Ford and Volkswagen on a domestic level is projected to bolster the demand for electronic accessories including motors. The above-mentioned trends are anticipated to play a substantial role in boosting the utilization of piezoelectric materials in the formulation of actuators, sensors, and other electronic accessories.

Prominent Players in the Market

Major manufacturers include PI Ceramic, Harris Corporation, CeramTec, APC International, Morgan Technical Ceramics, and Mad City Labs. The establishment of strategic partnerships with research institutes is expected to remain a major critical success factor for market growth.

• In April 2020, the Dutch system integrator TEGEMA and Physik Instrumente (PI) GmbH & Co. KG started cooperation to develop automated systems for assembly and packaging technology in the photonics industry.
• Several global players are projected to expand their presence across the world, and significant players will focus on widening their market share through Merger & Acquisition activities.

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