P R E S S U R I S E D I N F L AT I O N

WITH ELECTRICAL
A C T U AT I O N O F
DIELECTRIC ELASTOMER
abhishek saini* & k.patra 1

Abstract
Dielectric elastomers (DE) are incompressible polymeric solids having finite deformation in planar direction when applying voltage on compliant
electrodes. Dielectric elastomers have received a great deal of attention recently due to large strains which make them enticing materials for many
new types of sensors, actuators and future energy generators. When subject
to an electric field through the thickness of the membrane, the material becomes polarized and contracts mechanically to reduce the electrical energy
stored in the material. Because these materials are nearly incompressible,
they expand in-plane in response to a transverse electric field.
This work intends to extend the electromechanical characterisation of dielectric elastomer actuators; we investigate electromechanical behaviour of circular actuator. Tests were conducted on a predesigned experimental setup
having cylindrical vessel with pressure sensor, DAQ etc. at different pressure and voltage values. Actuation results show their large strain capacity
which can be used on miniaturized pumps and in other application.

introduction

Polymers have many advantages such as low manufacturing cost, lightweight,

compliant nature, fracture tolerant, can be made in different shape or size,
easy handling etc [3]. Today dielectric elastomers are enticing area in the
field of sensors, actuators and energy generation. DE is used in a wide
variety of application including robotics, adaptive optics, Braille displays,
micro-fluidics, prosthetics, biomedical etc. [4, 5, 6]. The wide range of
application of dielectric elastomers justifies a high research interest in its experimental and analytical characterization. The mechanical tests frequently
performed on rubbers are of two types: compression and tension; while the
compression state is always uniaxial, tension can be applied in a uniaxial,
planar or equi-biaxial state [1, 2].
In this paper we have tested the bi-axially pre-stretched circular planar actuator with different pre-strained values through bulge test. Also as DE
are very permissible for the actuator purpose like micro-pumps. So here
we have tested the coated planar actuator by applying pressure and check
the electromechanical characterization at different pressure ratings which
is an extended form of equibiaxial stress and strain. Burst test was also
performed to find out the maximum deflection and failure of the sample.
In addition to this as the actuator actuates/inflate continuously, to check
its response we have performed cyclic/ hysteresis test to determine its viscoelastic behaviour.

experiments

2.1 Circular planar actuator preparation

A bi-axially pre-strained circular planar actuator used here consists of dielectric elastomer sandwiched between two compliant electrodes. The active
area is defined by the region where the circular electrodes overlap across the
dielectric film; conducting path is arranged on opposite sides of the active
area. When a high voltage is applied to the conducting path the active area
will expand in plane and reduce in thickness. Circular active area of 20 mm

in diameter was used in this work.

In this work we have used the carbon conducting grease for the active
region. Circular frame of diameter 50 mm was designed to hold the prestrained DE actuator; high voltage power supply was used for giving electrical actuation to the

references
1. K. Miller, Testing elastomer for hyperelastic material models in finite
element analysis. Axel Products Testing and Analysis Report, 2000.
2. I. Pearson, M. Pickering, The determination of a highly elastic adhesives material properties and their representation in finite element
analysis, Finite Elements in Analysis and Design 37 (2001) 221232.
3. Vlad Crlescu., mechanical testing of elastomers for sensor and actuator applications
4. Shankar R., Ghosh T. K., Spontak R. J., Dielectric Elastomers as Nextgeneration Polymeric Actuators, Soft Matter, 3, 1116-1129, 2007.
5. Carpi, F., Rossi, D. D., Kornbluh, R., Pelrine, R., Larsen, P. S. Dielectric Elastomers as Electromechanical Transducers, Elsevier, Oxford
UK, 1st Edition, 2008.