Pre-stretching effect modeling of a dielectric elastomer under the electrical loading condition

Abstract

The present paper is concerned with the analytical modeling of pre-stretching effect on a dielectric elastomeric actuation. The electro-mechanical instability of a dielectric elastomer is studied under an equi-biaxial pre-stretching deformation condition by employing the different strain energy density functions. An analytical electro-mechanical instability model for a dielectric elastomer is formulated following the fundamental laws of physics and first law of thermodynamics. A qualitative comparison between Neo-Hookean, Mooney-Rivlin, Gent, and Yeoh energy density functions is also presented based on the electro-mechanical instability of a dielectric elastomer. Gent and Yeoh energy density function are showing electro-mechanical instability with chain stiffening effect. The results indicate that the pre-stretching effect may eliminate the electro-mechanical instability on dielectric elastomers and improve the dielectric breakdown strength. The results of the present investigation may find the potential applications in the design and developments of soft robotics engineering and medical field applications.