A dynamic visco-hyperelastic model of dielectric elastomers and their energy dissipation characteristics

Abstract

In this paper, we present a model describing the nonlinear dynamic visco-hyperelastic behaviors of dielectric elastomers (DE), with the purpose to explain the material’s dynamic energy dissipation mechanism, and provide convenience for actual design of DE devices. On the basic mechanical properties of the material, a visco-hyperelastic constitutive relationship, derived from Kelvin–Voigt rheological model and expressed as complex modulus, is created at first. Then, from the approximate relationship between harmonic motion frequency and the stretch rate (as well as the amplitude of stretch ratio) of the film, a new model-fitting approach is put forward to obtain the three intrinsic parameters, based on the uniaxial tensile tests for VHB 4910 DE film at different stretch rates (from 0.029 to 0.71 s−1). Applying the proposed parameters, the hysteresis and energy dissipation behaviors of the DE film are subsequently predicted, showing good agreement with the experimental results. Finally, the influences of the kinematic variable pair on energy dissipation properties are quantitatively investigated.