Experimental analysis of the characteristics of an acrylic elastomer

Dielectric elastomer is used as base material for so-called electroactive polymer actuators. The characteristic parameters and strain capability are different for different materials. So, it is necessary to determine material parameters and analyse its mechanical behaviour before modelling or designing actuators. An acrylic elastomer VHB 4910 produced by 3 M is measured and analysed in this work. A static test is implemented to determine the parameters for Yeoh model. On the other hand, the mechanical behaviours of the material, including relation between pre-strain and activation voltage, failure voltage, etc., are measured and analysed by a so-called dynamic test.