X-cut quartz is one of the most accurate and reproducible materials for measuring short-duration, one-dimensional stress pulses. The electrical output is well characterized up to a maximum stress of 2.5GPa (25kbar). The response time of the gauges is less than 1 nanosecond and the useful "read-time" of the gauge is limited to one transit time through the thickness of the crystal which is typically 0.2-1.0 microseconds. Signal conditioning is not required, but high bandwidth cable and data acquisition systems are required for measuring full performance. All standard quartz gauges have internal 50-Ohm current viewing resistors (CVRs) and internally shunted guard rings. Guard ring widths are 1.5 times the crystal thickness. Standard output connectors are SMA-type. Gauge housing is 6061-T6 Aluminum.

PVDF sensors are piezoelectric sensors uniquely suited for the measurement of induced stresses ranging from bars to hundreds of kilo-bars. They are thin (less than 25um), unobtrusive, self powered, adaptable to complex contours, and available in a variety of configurations. Ktech Corporation has demonstrated the use of thin-film piezoelectric polymer transducers over a wide range of stresses. PVDF gauges can measure transient pressures from KPa to 40GPa.