Lead-Free Piezoelectric Ceramics as Candidates on the Development of Morphing Winglets in Aircrafts

In this paper we discussed the development of a morphing wingtip device or winglet for aircraft. The aim of this research is enhancing the aerodynamic of aircrafts, by optimizing the winglet shape, angle and torsion, to reduce wingtip vortices at each flight stage, reduce drag, fuel consumption and increase its endurance. The development of a working physical wingtip device with morphing functionality, is possible by using piezoelectric MFCs (Macro Fiber Composites) as actuators in wing structures. Due to their excellent properties like flexibility, light weight, tolerant to damage and long term stability MFC fit most of the requirements and specifications of morphing structures. Unfortunately, they are based on the toxic compound of PbZr_xTi_1-xO₃ (PZT). Lead-free materials can replace lead based compounds. Also, other aim of this inquiry is the development of piezoelectric lead-free compounds based on the solid solution Ba_1-xCa_xTi_0.9Zr_0.1O₃ (BCZT) with x = 0.1, 0.125, 0.15. The reason for choosing these compositions is because BZCT compounds could reach a piezoelectricity coefficient d33~400 pC/N. This value is comparable with commercial PZT, therefore it is a great candidate to replace it.