REPIKO

Recycled piezoceramic with enhanced electromechanical properties due to microstructure texturing

REPIKO investigates the material recycling of piezoceramics based on recycled materials. Through targeted microstructural texturing, electromechanical properties are improved despite the use of recyclates. The goal is a resource-efficient and economically competitive functional ceramic.  

Ceramics industry is a small but important market segment in Germany. Due to their unique properties, high-performance technical ceramics form the basis of key functional components in industries relevant to German manufacturing, including automotive industry, medical technology, as well as equipment, machinery, and plant engineering. Piezoelectric ceramic components play a prominent role in this context. To date, except for cases where precious metals play a role, only linear technologies exist in ceramics manufacturing. Material recycling is virtually unknown in the field of technical functional ceramics. Nevertheless, functional ceramics pose a problem due to their diverse material composition and the heavy metals they contain – particularly lead in piezoceramics. However, the need for material recycling applies to both, lead-containing and lead-free piezoceramic materials. The issue is of particular interest for lead-containing piezoceramics due to their potential hazards to humans and the environment, which is why they are used as an example. The goal of the REPIKO project is to develop a material recycling system for piezoceramics based on lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and to utilize production waste and end-of-life products as secondary raw materials to the greatest extent possible. The expected deterioration of piezoelectric properties due to recycling will be overcome by innovative microstructural design (texturing), thereby reducing both the use of primary raw materials in manufacturing and the amount of piezoceramics required in applications. REPIKO is developing an indicator system that evaluates technological approaches for recycling compared to linear technologies based on the dominant effects in material, energy, and value flows. The goal is to use piezoceramics manufactured with a proportion of secondary raw materials in demonstrator applications and to demonstrate their functional and cost competitiveness.