Reliability Assessment of Linear Ultrasonic Transducers Under Dynamic Environmental Conditions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29114/ajtuv.vol9.iss2.364Keywords:
Linear transducer, piezoelectric degradation, thermal cycling, reliabilityAbstract
Linear ultrasonic transducers are essential for medical diagnostic imaging, yet their behavior under dynamic environmental conditions remains insufficiently characterized. This study examines typical failure modes of linear array transducers exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity relevant to field applications. Using accelerated ageing tests and electrical parameter monitoring, we outline dominant degradation mechanisms in piezoelectric materials such as PZT ceramics. Results show that thermal cycling leads to noticeable decreases in piezoelectric and dielectric performance, accompanied by increased dielectric losses. SEM and XRD analyses reveal progressive microstructural deterioration, including grain damage, rising porosity, and partial amorphization. A threshold temperature above which degradation accelerates markedly is identified, and predictive models for estimating remaining useful life are proposed.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Angelina Dimitrova
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