Effect of filler on anisotropic behavior of dielectric elastomer composite

Abstract

Abstract Microsphere based consecutive model is useful tool to predict the material behavior of dielectric elastomer composite containing directionally arranged soft fillers. Dielectric elastomers (DEs) belong to electroactive polymers (EAPs) family, which produce mechanical deformation in response to change in external electrical potential and vice-versa. Some tunable properties like softness, flexibility, light weight etc. makes DE suitable candidate for electromechanical transducers (actuator, sensor and energy harvester). With the increase in relative permittivity, strain energy also increases thus the performance of electromechanical transducer. Material modification, chemical blending, and composite with nanoparticles act as a tool to enhance the relative permittivity. Particle filled composite of elastomer is appeared to be noticeable due to the easiness and flexibility of the method. However recent studies show that electrically cured DE composite (DEC) forms chain-like structure and generate anisotropy in the composite material. Also, manufacturing condition and undesired properties of filler introduce anisotropy to the composite. In present line of work, precise and accurate steps were taken to investigate the effect of amount of soft fillers on the anisotropic behavior in DE composite. Analytical result shows the similar pattern of pressure variation DE composite based cylindrical actuator with enhanced pressure. The possible reason for the enhanced pressure variation with strain may be softening of host elastomer due to addition of filler particle as well as the increase in the load. The results may help the researcher to manufacture soft, flexible and improved DE composite for energy harvester application.