Numerical Analysis of the Failure Modes for the Circular Dielectric Elastomer Actuator

Abstract:

The circular actuators of dielectric elastomer are a type of basic configurations [1]. A pre-stretched polymer film with an annulus electrode will be investigated in this work. The deformation along the radius was be proved to be inhomogeneous [2]. We study the inhomogeneous properties of circular ring actuators based on the ideal dielectric model and meanwhile obtain the failure modes of tension loss which will occur under different geometric parameters. For this type of circular actuator, the loss of tension will occur before electric breakdown. The method illustrated here is generic and can be applied to other complex circular configuration. The results will contribute to the further improvement of DE.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 664)
• Pages: 284-287
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.664.284
• Online since: October 2014
• Authors: Yin Wang, Na Ni, Yong Jing Wang, Xiao Hong Wu, Ling Zhang
• Keywords: Dielectric Elastomer, Electric Breakdown, Loss of Tension

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