ABSTRACT
Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVF2) films have been prepared by a variety of manufacturing techniques, including chill wheel extrusion, thermal lamination, and solvent casting. Films have been oriented by free-span oven stretching, roll drafting, compression rolling, and tentering. To produce useful transducer film, the PVF2 film must be oriented and polarized. Unoriented PVF2 films do not show strong piezoelectric and pyroelectric behavior. When considering PVF2 for use in a particular transducer application, the designer should remember that film thickness, orientation, and crystalline structure affect its suitability for a given application. New transducer designs are still needed, and new applications are being sought which require large amounts of transducer film. Once the designer has a clearer picture of the unique properties of PVF2 as compared to more conventional transducer materials, the new transducer applications will be developed.
