Abstract

Dielectric Elastomers are special electroactive polymers capable of changing their shape under electrical stimulation. These are useful lightweight materials with tremendous potential to implement in emerging technologies like micro-robotics. One of the challenging issues regarding Dielectric Elastomers is the requirement of high electric fields. While an increase in voltage to stimulate the Dielectric Elastomers may lead to wrinkling and electric breakdown instabilities. In this research, simple, yet versatile two families of fibers reinforced Dielectric Elastomers, referred to as Anisotropic Dielectric Elastomers are introduced which require a lower electric field to stimulate. On the other hand, the fibers also help increase Dielectric Elastomer’s mechanical properties. The present study aims to get a detailed understanding of the behavior of Anisotropic Dielectric Elastomers based on an efficient constitutive formulation. Related constitutive equations including coupled anisotropic electro-mechanical aspects are derived and solved for different states. The analytical proposed model is validated with experimental results. Based on the obtained results, it could be concluded that the influence of the orientation of electro-active fibers on electro-mechanical coupling and stresses is inevitable. Therefore, to present the useful and applicable results in smart manufacturing technologies, an analytical approach is introduced.

摘要

介电弹性体是特殊的电活性聚合物，能够在电刺激下改变其形状。这些是有用的轻质材料，具有巨大的潜力，可用于微型机器人等新兴技术。关于介电弹性体的挑战性问题之一是对高电场的要求。虽然刺激介电弹性体的电压增加可能会导致起皱和电击穿不稳定性。在这项研究中，引入了简单但通用的两类纤维增强介电弹性体，称为各向异性介电弹性体，它们需要较低的电场来刺激。另一方面，纤维也有助于提高介电弹性体的机械性能。本研究旨在基于有效的本构配方详细了解各向异性介电弹性体的行为。推导并求解了不同状态下的相关本构方程，包括耦合的各向异性机电方面。所提出的分析模型通过实验结果得到验证。根据获得的结果，可以得出结论，电活性纤维的取向对机电耦合和应力的影响是不可避免的。因此，为了展示智能制造技术中有用和适用的结果，引入了一种分析方法。推导并求解了不同状态下的相关本构方程，包括耦合的各向异性机电方面。所提出的分析模型通过实验结果得到验证。根据获得的结果，可以得出结论，电活性纤维的取向对机电耦合和应力的影响是不可避免的。因此，为了展示智能制造技术中有用和适用的结果，引入了一种分析方法。推导并求解了不同状态下的相关本构方程，包括耦合的各向异性机电方面。所提出的分析模型通过实验结果得到验证。根据获得的结果，可以得出结论，电活性纤维的取向对机电耦合和应力的影响是不可避免的。因此，为了展示智能制造技术中有用和适用的结果，引入了一种分析方法。