75 Years of Piezo Technology in Germany: Symposium at PI Ceramic

In mid-May, over seventy guests joined PI Ceramic’s symposium “75 Years of Piezo Technology in Germany.” Initiated by PI Ceramic Managing Director Dr. Patrick Pertsch, the event offered a colorful mix of historical retrospectives, interviews with contemporary witnesses, and a current outlook. The symposium was inspired by the discovery of a 1950/1951 document from the ceramic manufacturing plant HESCHO-Kahla entitled “Research on the ceramic mass Piezolan.”

Contemporary witnesses, including the former Head of Development at CeramTec, Dr. Günther Helke, and PI Ceramics’ former Managing Director, Adolf Bauer, as well as a board member of a regional association dedicated to preserving the technical history of the region, shared insights on the historical background: The first range of piezoceramic materials was developed at the HESCHO-Kahla plant in Hermsdorf, Germany, in 1950. The brand name “Piezolan” was introduced at this time for a barium titanate ceramic with piezoelectric properties, forming the basis for the establishment of PI Ceramic and its subsequent success. Along with other international developments, the advancements in Thuringia, Germany, in 1950 are considered the birth of modern piezoceramic technology.

Further presentations delved deeper into the importance of piezoceramics today: For example, modern diesel engines can only meet the Euro 6 emissions standard with a piezoceramic injection system. Wire bonding in the semiconductor industry also benefits from systems based on piezoceramic components for producing electrical connections.

“I was very surprised by the great response to our event,” Patrick Pertsch summarized, referring to the large number of guests. “I think we succeeded in spreading our enthusiasm.
 

Contact Person:  
Patrick Pertsch, Managing Director PI Ceramic