Evaluation of the deformation shape of a balloon-type dielectric elastomer actuator prestretched with water pressure

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated the deformation shape of a balloon-type dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) that has been prestretched with water pressure. We fabricated the DEA with poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) as the elastomeric material and carbon grease as the electrode. We derived analytical solutions for the deformation of the DEA based on structural mechanical models. Additionally, we compared the deformation shapes obtained by theoretical analysis and experimental results. Our model can partially predict the deformation shape of the DEA with good accuracy. In addition, we discuss the applicable range of the theoretical model and error relative to the experimental results.