Influence of gold electrode layers on the SH waves propagation in sandwich structures based on Au/PMN-0.33PT/Au and Au/PZT-5H/Au: Numerical implementation

Highlights: • A combination of the ordinary differential equation (ODE) method and stiffness matrix method (SMM) is employed to calculate the solutions of SH modes. • Calculation of SH wave dispersion in piezoelectric sandwich structures is possible. • Illustrates the effect of piezoelectric middle layer on the dispersion curves of SH modes. • The effect of gold electrode on SH wave propagation is investigated. This paper discusses the effects induced by the gold electrodes on shear horizontal (SH) wave propagating through a sandwich structures. A combination of the ordinary differential equation (ODE) and stiffness matrix (SM) methods is employed to calculate the dispersion curves, mechanical displacements and stresses of SH modes. Formulations are given only for the short-circuit (SC) surface. To facilitate understanding of the SH dispersion curves trajectories; a piezoelectric middle layer change study is performed moving from PMN-0.33PT to PZT-5H. The middle layer is shown to have a significant influence on phase velocities. Moreover, it was found that thickness, mass density and elastic constants of the gold electrode have a significant effect on the characteristics of SH waves. The displacements and stresses of SH modes are analyzed. From the scientific perspective of smart materials, the results are useful for understanding and optimization of new designs for acoustic devices made of piezoelectric materials.