Analytical model and experimental characterization of a dielectric elastomer annulus actuator undergoing large quasi-static deformation

An analytical model of a thin annulus made of a dielectric elastomer was derived in our earlier work. It is the focus of this paper to fabricate and test the electroactive polymer actuators presented in the model. Radial displacement measurements were obtained using a digital image correlation technique that involved cross-correlating images of the actuator before and after a change in the electric field. Results showed that the two-term Ogden material model provided a good agreement with experimental data. Hysteresis of the dielectric actuators was observed. Radial displacements of material points on the actuator varied between two consecutive tests which may indicate that strain has history-dependent characteristics.