Thermo-Electro-Mechanical Characterization of PDMS-Based Dielectric Elastomer Actuators

Abstract

The present contribution aims towards a thermo-electro-mechanical characterization of dielectric elastomer actuators (DEA) based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). To this end, an experimental setup is proposed in order to evaluate the PDMS-based DEA behavior under the influence of various rates of mechanical loading, different ambient temperatures, and varying values of an applied electric voltage. To obtain mechanical, electro-mechanical and thermo-mechanical experimental data, the passive behavior of the material, as well as the material’s response when electrically activated, was tested. The influence of the solid electrode on the dielectric layer’s surface was also examined. Moreover, this work focuses on the production of such DEA, the experimental setup and the interpretation and evaluation of the obtained mechanical hysteresis loops. Finite element modeling approaches were used in order to model the passive and the electro-mechanically active response of the material. A comparison between experimental and simulation results was performed.

Progress in Microtopography Optimization of Polymers-Based Pressure/Strain Sensors

“…In addition, UV irradiation can be used to pattern such materials to make them locally adhesive, thereby providing a method for fabricating PDMS-based composite materials and integrated circuit systems [ 57 ]. As a dielectric material, PDMS with different microstructures and types of functionalization can be obtained through etching and pattern preparation and used for pressure sensing and tension sensing [ 58 , 59 ]. Based on the advantages of the material itself and the above processing technologies, its applicability in the field of pressure sensing has been further expanded [ 4 , 17 , 60 ].…”

Bio-Inspired Hydrogel–Elastomer Actuator with Bidirectional Bending and Dynamic Structural Color

“…PDMS (poly-dimethylsiloxane) is a polymeric silicone material with unique optical properties and biocompatibility. It is striking that PDMS has very good mechanical properties, which makes it a potential active material for tunable devices [28][29][30][31].…”

Prediction of Thermal Conductivities of Rubbers by MD Simulations—New Insights

“…Thermal conductivities of amorphous and crystalline silicone rubbers have been investigated by NEMD methods [ 28 ]. Deriving the influence of the degree of crosslinking on to the thermal conductivities and mechanical properties of silicone rubbers is important for finding an optimal chemical composition for a concrete application of new rubber, and the knowledge of the thermal conductivity is vital for macro-scale modeling of the rubbers by FEM [ 29 , 30 , 31 ].…”