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MACRO FIBER COMPOSITE

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Thin piezo actuator and piezo sensor: Macro Fiber Composite

Manufactured by Smart Material GmbH
Macro Fiber Composite
MFC hopper in motion

Benefits and features

  • Flexible, durable and reliable
  • Increased strain actuator efficiency
  • Directional actuation and sensing
  • Damage tolerant
  • Available as an elongator (d33 mode) and a contractor (d31 mode)
  • Conforms to curved surfaces
  • Readily embeddable
  • Environmentally sealed package
  • Proven performance in the field
  • A choice of piezo ceramic materials
  • Also available in single crystal PMN-PT and PZN-PT

The Macro Fiber Composite is the leading low profile actuator and sensor, combining high performance, flexibility and reliability at a competitive price. It was invented by NASA in 1999, and Smart Material has manufactured and distributed it worldwide under licence since 2002. The MFC has been improved continuously since then and is regularly customized to suit new applications.

The MFC consists of rectangular piezo ceramic rods sandwiched between layers of adhesive, electrodes and polyimide film. The electrodes are attached to the film in an interdigitated pattern, which transfers the applied voltage directly to and from the ribbon shaped rods. This arrangement allows in-plane poling, actuation and sensing in a sealed, durable and ready to use package.

The MFC can be bonded to a structure as a thin, surface conforming sheet or embedded inside a composite. When a voltage is applied it bends or distorts the material, counteracts vibration or generates vibration. With no voltage applied it works as a highly sensitive strain gauge, sensing deformation, noise and vibration. It is also an excellent device for harvesting energy from vibration.

P1 type (d33 effect), elongator

P1 mode
P1 hopper animation

The P1 type, along with the F1 and S1 types, uses the d33 effect for actuation and elongates by up to 1,800 ppm when driven at the full range of -500 V to +1,500 V. These types also work as very sensitive strain sensors.

P1, F1 and S1 types · operating voltage -500 V to +1,500 V
Minimum order quantity: 10 pieces. A shipping charge of 20,000 yen applies to orders sent from overseas to Japan.
Model Active length
mm		 Active width
mm		 Overall length
mm		 Overall width
mm		 Capacitance
nF ±20%		 Free strain
ppm ±10%		 Blocking force
N ±10%
M2503-P1 25 3 35 9 0.22 788 21
M2807-P1 28 7 38 13 0.7 1,035 62
M2814-P1 28 14 38 20 1.9 1,160 146
M4005-P1 40 5 50 11 0.70 885 38
M4010-P1 40 10 50 16 1.9 1,050 90
M4312-P1 43 12 53 18 2.1 1,050 94
M5628-P1 56 28 67 35 4.4 1,350 340
M8503-P1 85 3 116 14 0.9 788 21
M8507-P1 85 7 101 13 3.1 1,035 65
M8514-P1 85 14 101 20 4.2 1,200 152
M8528-P1 85 28 103 35 6.9 1,350 454
M8557-P1 85 57 103 64 16.00 1,350 693
M14003-P1 140 3 160 10 1.4 1,050 28

S1 special types

S1 special types · operating voltage -500 V to +1,500 V
Minimum order quantity: 10 pieces. A shipping charge of 20,000 yen applies to orders sent from overseas to Japan.
Model Active length
mm		 Active width
mm		 Overall length
mm		 Overall width
mm		 Capacitance
nF ±20%		 Free strain
ppm ±10%		 Blocking force
N ±10%
M8557-S1
Actuator with co-located sensor		 85 / 85 47 / 5 112 75 13.00 / 1.45 1,350 570 (calc.)

F1 types, 45° fiber orientation

F1 types · operating voltage -500 V to +1,500 V
Minimum order quantity: 10 pieces. A shipping charge of 20,000 yen applies to orders sent from overseas to Japan.
Model Active length
mm		 Active width
mm		 Overall length
mm		 Overall width
mm		 Capacitance
nF ±20%		 Free strain
ppm ±10%		 Blocking force
N ±10%
M8528-F1 85 28 105 35 11.00 1,350 364 (calc.)
M8557-F1 85 57 105 64 16.00 1,350 710 (calc.)

P2 and P3 types (d31 effect), contractor

P2 mode
P2 contractor animation

The P2 and P3 types use the d31 effect for actuation and contract by up to 750 ppm when driven at the full range of -60 V to +360 V. They are used mainly for energy harvesting and as strain sensors.

P2 types, anisotropic · operating voltage -60 V to +360 V
Minimum order quantity: 10 pieces. A shipping charge of 20,000 yen applies to orders sent from overseas to Japan.
Model Active length
mm		 Active width
mm		 Overall length
mm		 Overall width
mm		 Capacitance
nF ±20%		 Free strain
ppm ±10%		 Blocking force
N ±10%
M0714-P2 7 14 16 16 11 -540 -57
M2807-P2 28 7 37 10 21.5 -600 -35
M2814-P2 28 14 37 18 43 -630 -76
M5628-P2 56 28 67 31 175 -740 -175
M8503-P2 85 3 94 7 15.5 -430 -11
M8507-P2 85 7 100 10 63 -605 -38
M8514-P2 85 14 100 18 127 -630 -76
M8528-P2 85 28 103 31 258 -740 -180
M8557-P2 85 57 103 60 548 -750 -385
M8585-P2 85 85 103 88 662 -750 -585
M17007-P2 170 7 185 11 126 -600 -37
P3 types, orthotropic · operating voltage -60 V to +360 V
Minimum order quantity: 10 pieces. A shipping charge of 20,000 yen applies to orders sent from overseas to Japan.
Model Active length
mm		 Active width
mm		 Overall length
mm		 Overall width
mm		 Capacitance
nF ±20%		 Free strain
ppm ±10%		 Blocking force
N ±10%
M2814-P3 28 14 37 18 52 -620 -95
M5628-P3 56 28 66 31 130 -800 -240
M8528-P3 85 28 103 31 227 -800 -240

Ask about the MFC

Tell us how you plan to use the MFC and we will help you choose a type and size, or ask Smart Material about a custom shape.

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