Coupling Material Formulation Strategies To Tailor Piezoelectric Properties Of Ceramic Lattices

This thesis examines the material formulation and infiltration processes required to create interpenetrating ceramic composites with a particular focus on developing piezoelectric ceramic-epoxy lattice structures (PCELS). Following this, a high–solid loading barium titanite photopolymer resin (BT40) was developed to produce BTO scaffolds with controlled porosity suitable for metal infusion. The resin’s shear-thinning behavior and scattering-dominated curing response enabled the formation of stable, uniform ceramic structures whose pore networks directly influence infiltration behavior. Building on this foundation, a low-temperature Field’s Metal (FM) infiltration method was established using controlled thermal equilibration and the melting of pre-formed alloy rods. By maintaining the ceramic scaffold near the alloy’s melting temperature, FM remained fluid long enough to penetrate the interconnected pores through capillary action. Infiltration success was verified through mass gain, visual observations, and internal cross-sectioning, all of which indicated the formation of continuous or semi-continuous metallic pathways. Together, these results demonstrate a strong interdependence between resin formulation and liquid-metal infiltration. The microstructure generated by BT40 directly shaped FM flow behavior, while the infiltration process revealed the critical role of pore geometry and thermal stability. These finding establish a materials-level framework for designing multifunctional ceramic-metal composites.