APC International, Ltd Electrifying News

sales@americanpiezo.com  |  www.americanpiezo.com  |  +1.570.726.6961
-Frequently Asked Questions-

This month APC is addressing some of the questions most frequently asked of our sales and office saff by you, our customers.  Of course, please contact APC with ANY questions you may have that are not listed here.  All of these questions will be made available on the APC website   https://www.americanpiezo.com/knowledge-center/faq.html  directly from the website homepage.

We have split these questions into two major categories.  " General Inquiries " covers questions regarding APC and doing business with APC.  Following that, " Technical Inquiries "  relates to materials, products, and processes.

Not seeing a question you feel is important?  Submit a question to be included in our FAQ by visiting  https://www.americanpiezo.com/knowledge-center/faq.html#submit-question or by  contacting an APC Technical Representative.
-General Inquiries-

-Does APC International offer design assistance or take on design projects?
Yes, please contact an APC representative to further discuss your project needs.
 
-Does APC International perform contract manufacturing, assembly, transducer   manufacturing, or build sub assemblies?
Yes, APC performs ALL of these processes, please contact an APC representative to discuss your requirements.
 
-Does APC sell piezoelectric powders?
APC does sell its custom piezo powders in limited volumes only. Please contact an APC representative to discuss your powder needs.
 
-Why is my order late? What is causing delays?
APC does its best to produce products in as timely a manner as possible, and we absolutely understand that delivery and communication is critically important and are working on improving these things every day. APC produces a wide-ranging mix of piezo products, sizes, geometries, and volumes. Order volumes range from 25 pieces up to 1M+ pieces. APC also services defense applications which are required by law to take priority over any commercial products. As demand constantly changes for defense related products it makes scheduling extremely difficult. We are working on scheduling solutions and capacity increases to mitigate this issue.
 
-How do I expedite my order? Does APC accept expediting fees?
APC does not entertain expediting fees.
 
-Can lead times be reduced?
APC is currently working on 2020 expansion plans to address lead times and delivery.
 
-Does APC offer free samples or faster delivery for small quantity samples?
While it is APC's policy not to supply CUSTOM manufactured FREE piezo samples, we do carry a large inventory of "quick delivery" products on our website which is dedicated to lower cost, in stock items to get your project started. 

-What is meant by "End Use" on your export compliance forms?
In order to comply with US Export Regulations, APC MUST know the end user and end use of every APC piezo element or device leaving US soil. If you are NOT the end user, we need to know what you are doing to it, and where you are sending it. ( i.e. Customer is receiving piezo crystal, assembling into transducer for ultrasonic mixing processes, and delivering to customers around the world.)
 
-I am new to piezo materials and don't know where to start. Can you help me?
The APC website is an absolutely great resource. Visit the APC Knowledge Center to view extensive piezo information, APC's Piezo Calc to help you plan your device, whitepapers, technical updates, etc. For additional technical resources APC's textbook, "Piezo Ceramics - Principles and Applications" is available on amazon.com or directly through APC. Contact an APC Technical Representative today.

-How can I set up terms with APC?
All new APC customers start on a pre-payment basis. APC accepts credit cards, ACH, or wire transfers for new orders. To request terms after initial orders are paid in full, we request at least 3 credit references and banking information. A review will take place, references contacted, and credit terms approved if acceptable.
 
-What credit cards does APC accept? Can APC accept ACH Payments?
APC accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. APC can accept ACH payments and will supply banking information if conditions for order are met.
 
-Can you send me a statement of our account with APC?
Absolutely. Simply contact APC or email accounting@americanpiezo.com with your request.
 
-What are the APC Standard Terms and Conditions?

-Technical Inquiries-

-Do you have a piezo or device that will work in my application?
Contact an APC representative today to discuss your application. It's possible that products suitable for your application could be available on our quick delivery website list. An APC representative can walk you through that process-
 
-How do I solder to piezo devices, what are the best materials and processes?
 
-Are your parts and solder ROHS compliant?
Yes, please see our General Review of Lead Free Solder Options and download the available PDF. The piezo element itself is ROHS exempt.
 
-Can you suggest any epoxies to bond directly to piezo-electric elements?
Yes, please see our recommended epoxies for general use in this technical whitepaper.
 
-Where is the best location (on my piezo element) to make my solder connections?
Please follow this link for a PDF indicating the best areas to solder to piezo elements.

-How much voltage can I safely apply to the ceramic while still avoiding depoling?
While other factors affect de-poling as well such as physical stress, temperature, duty cycle, etc. a safe voltage range is 5-7 volts/mil (200-280 V/mm) of thickness for SOFT PZT elements, and 15-20 V/mil (600-800 V/mm) of thickness for HARD PZT elements.
 
-What about total power? How much power can I apply to HARD PZT elements?
A safe range would be approximately 20 watts/square inch (~3 watts/cm2) of radiating surface area.
 
-How much movement will I get from any given monolithic piezo element?
Displacement = Applied Voltage X d33
 
-I will be making a sensor... What material do you recommend I start with?
Sensing applications are perfect for soft pzt elements, such as APC 850 / APC 854 / APC 855 materials.
 
-What is considered a safe operating temperature for PZT materials?
If you would like a safety margin, a good estimate is ½ the materials curie temperature (Tc). Other stresses such as duty cycle, applied voltage, and physical stress could also affect the material and the maximum safe operating temperature. In optimum use conditions APC 850 has been used in environments as high as 240C.
 
-Do PZT materials age?
Yes, they do. The aging rate of PZT materials is composition dependent and is measured in percent (loss or gain) per time decade (1day, 10day, 100day, 1000day, etc.) Additionally, each material property ages at a different rate. For exact aging details, contact an APC Technical Representative.
 
-What is APC's typical surface roughness and flatness?
Surface roughness and surface flatness are two surface measurements that can mean very different things. Surface roughness is a "micro" measurement, while flatness is a "macro" measurement. A surface that is not necessarily flat can still be smooth, just as a surface that is incredibly flat can still be relatively rough. APC's standard processing typically produces surface roughness, Ra <= ~1um and flatness <= ~10um. Additional custom processing can reduce roughness, Ra to <~0.5um and flatness to <=~5um.

-I am seeking a piezoelectric material that is suitable for an energy harvesting   application. Do you have any suggestions?
In recent years, energy harvesting, in the case of piezo materials, deriving energy from a kinetic energy source, has become the focus of much research. Various piezo materials are used in these applications and may include ceramics, films, and others. We at APC are very excited by the possibility of energy harvesting using piezoelectric ceramics. On the other hand, we do remain somewhat skeptical of the use of bulk piezoelectric ceramics in large scale energy harvesting applications given the limited energy output of piezoelectric ceramics, the potentially cost prohibitive nature of using piezoelectric ceramics in any large scale energy harvesting application, and the fact that piezoelectric ceramics contain large quantities of reacted Pb(lead). When looking at piezoelectric ceramics for the purpose of energy harvesting, we remind our customers that while piezoelectric ceramics do provide high voltages they provide a very limited amount of actual power. The power produced by piezoelectric ceramics must be accumulated before it can be used to power any electronic device. APC has provided piezoelectric ceramics for many energy harvesting applications. In these instances, APC provides piezoelectric ceramic elements manufactured from lead zirconate titanate (PZT). Of the PZT materials that APC offers, we would recommend APC 850 as it tends to have the best combination of piezo properties for energy harvesting applications.


Don't Forget To Submit Feedback!  

We have received some really terrific feedback thus far!  We will be using this information as we plan for our continued growth.  Please don't forget to take a minute to fill out the survey.  Using the link on the website or pointing your browser directly to www.americanpiezo.com/customerfeedback will allow you to fill out the survey on an order specific basis should you choose to.  We appreciate ALL feedback.  

The survey is designed to take less than a minute to complete, consisting of only 4 meaningful questions.

We sincerely appreciate your participation, we look forward to growing together with our customers, and we thank you for your continued business.



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