Mesomechanical model and analysis of an artificial muscle functioning: role of Poisson’s ratio

Abstract

The mechanism of force generation in a polymer monofilament actuator element with auxetic characteristics is modeled to assess the development and the optimization of a controlled drive based on the use of electrostrictive polymers. The monofilament is considered as a viscoelastic rod. By assuming a 'sliding thread' deformation occurring within the system, the variation of the monofilament length during the uniform contraction and force generated during a uniaxial mode of actuation have been obtained. The distribution of the axial stress was determined along the length of the monofilament at various stages during the uniform contraction. The rate of contraction reaches a maximum, together with a minimum of the stress intensity when the equivalent Poisson's ratio of the actuator is negative.