Influence of frequency and prestrain on the mechanical efficiency of dielectric electroactive polymer actuators

The effect of frequency and bidirectional static prestrain on the results of dynamic mechanical measurements of loss tangent for acrylic elastomer films is investigated. These prestrained elastomer films are used in electroactive polymer actuators, sometimes referred to as artificial muscles, where the loss tangent determines the mechanical efficiency of the actuator. It is found that mechanical efficiency of the actuator increases with increased bidirectional prestrain, and decreases with increased frequency. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.