Micro-mechanics of ionic electroactive polymer actuators

Andres Punning; Inga Põldsalu; Friedrich Kaasik; Veiko Vunder; Alvo Aabloo

doi:10.1117/12.2084202

1 April 2015 Micro-mechanics of ionic electroactive polymer actuators

Andres Punning, Inga Põldsalu, Friedrich Kaasik, Veiko Vunder, Alvo Aabloo

Proceedings Volume 9430, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2015; 94301K (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2084202
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2015, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Commonly, modeling of the bending behavior of the ionic electroactive polymer (IEAP) actuators is based on the classical mechanics of cantilever beam. It is acknowledged, that the actuation of the ionic electroactive polymer (IEAP) actuators is symmetric about the centroid - the convex side of the actuator is expanding and the concave side is contracting for exactly the same amount, while the thickness of the actuator remains invariant. Actuating the IEAP actuators and sensors under scanning electron microscope (SEM), in situ, reveals that for some types of them this approach is incorrect. Comparison of the SEM micrographs using the Digital Image Correction (DIC) method results with the precise strain distribution of the IEAP actuators in two directions: in the axial direction, and in the direction of thickness. This information, in turn, points to the physical processes taking place within the electrodes as well as membrane of the trilayer laminate of sub-millimeter thickness. Comparison of the EAP materials, engaged as an actuator as well as a sensor, reveals considerable differences between the micro-mechanics of the two modes.

Citation Download Citation

Andres Punning, Inga Põldsalu, Friedrich Kaasik, Veiko Vunder, and Alvo Aabloo "Micro-mechanics of ionic electroactive polymer actuators", Proc. SPIE 9430, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2015, 94301K (1 April 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2084202

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