Lead-free Piezoceramics for Medical Sensors and Devices
In his second White Paper, Dr Amir R. Mirza, Sales Director at CeramTec UK Ltd, examines the future of medical sensors and transducers - with a particular focus on environmental compatibility and sustainability.
A key topic is the widespread use of piezoelectric materials, particularly leaded lead zirconate titanate (PZT), in medical devices. PZT is a key material for applications such as dialysis machines, surgical instruments and ultrasound imaging systems. However, the increasing importance of environmental and health regulations requires a shift towards lead-free alternatives.
The White Paper explains how piezoelectric materials work by converting electrical energy into mechanical energy and vice versa. Amir Mirza emphasises that the introduction of lead-free alternatives is associated with particular challenges. These cannot simply be used as a direct replacement for PZT, but require new design strategies and extensive testing. In his paper, Amir Mirza emphasises how important it is to switch to lead-free technologies at an early stage in order to both meet legal requirements and ensure competitiveness in a changing market.
As CeramTec, we have already done pioneering work in this area - with the development of high-performance lead-free piezoelectric materials. We have already proven their efficiency in applications such as liquid flow sensors and air bubble detectors. Our lead-free piezoceramics can often match the performance of conventional PZT.
The shift towards lead-free piezoelectric solutions is not only a legal requirement, but also an important step towards sustainable innovation.Let's master this challenge together!