Thermomechanical Properties of Artificial Muscle Based on Silicone-Carbon Fiber Composite

Abstract

In this work, we demonstrate a novel prototype for a composite artificial muscle where specific filler is used to improve its mechanical and thermal conducting properties. Specifically, the muscle is based on the composite of silicone rubber and carbon fiber. The latter serves for reinforcement of the mechanical strength of the elastomer and improvement of its thermal conductivity for thermo-mechanical applications. Our studies show that both extent and orientation of the carbon fiber load in the polymer matrix influence the extent of the sample deformation. Particularly, it is demonstrated that the relative deformation of the sample can reach up to 7% upon heating to 70-80 0C and this deformation exceeds that measured in the unfilled reference sample by a factor of 2. We also demonstrate that, depending on the fiber orientation in the sample, one can control the sample rigidity and thus can either suppress or promote the sample deformation.