A study of electrostrictive polymer(EP) actuator using dielectric elastomers

Electrostriction is the phenomenon that a material is strained due to Maxwell stress developed by the applied voltage. In many electrostrictive materials, especially polymeric elastomers can produce large deformation and force due to their low elastic modulus. In this study, polyurethanes and acrylic rubber with compliant electrodes were used as electrostrictive polymer(EP) actuator. Actuation characteristics of the EP actuators with different physical properties of dynamic modulus and dynamic dielectiric constant were analyzed under AC field. The classical laminate theory was also used to simulate the actuation process in relation to the geometry and the physical properties of the actuators.