Creep and cycle life in polypyrrole actuators

Abstract Conducting polymer actuators are of interest due to their low voltage operation, and their relatively high strains and forces. However, information is incomplete regarding the appropriate operating loads, the extent of creep and cycle life. We report cycle life and creep response in polypyrrole actuators operated in propylene carbonate. Polypyrrole films are found to extend passively by 2% after 100 min at 20 MPa, including about 1% elastic elongation. Results of creep tests at stresses of up to 60 MPa are presented, showing a non-linear and history dependent response at very high loads. The magnitude of the creep suggests that in situations where position control is desired under varying loads and at times of longer than tens of minutes that the polymer is best operated at loads of

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