An analytical study on transverse surface waves propagating in a functionally graded piezoelectric substrate carrying a metal layer of finite thickness was carried out. Dispersion relations for the existence of the waves were obtained and the effects of material gradient on wave propagation were quantified. Numerical examples show that the presence of the material gradient affects significantly the fundamental mode but has only negligible effects on the higher order modes. Depending on whether the surface wave velocity is smaller or greater than the bulk shear wave velocity in the metal layer, three different types of the dispersion behavior are discussed.

The propagation of transverse surface waves in a piezoelectric material carrying a prestressed metal layer of finite thickness is investigated analytically. The dispersion equation is solved in closed form for class 6mm piezoelectric materials and the conditions for the existence of various wave modes are obtained. Numerical examples are presented for an aluminum, gold, or zinc layer on a PZT-4 ceramic substrate. The presence of initial stress can extend or shorten the range of phase velocity within which a nonleaky but dispersive mode exists. The dependence of phase velocity on initial stress opens a new window for designing acoustic wave devices.