Electroactive polymer composites: analysis and simulation

We examine the mechanical response of a heterogeneous dielectric media to electorstatic excitation. The governing equations for the coupled electromechanical problem are determined together with the required statements of the boundary and the interface continuity conditions. Results for the class of sequentially laminated composites are calculated and compared with corresponding finite element simulations and analytical estimates. These calculations demonstrate that the electromechanical coupling can be improved by considering non-homogeneous electromechanical actuators. These findings are in agreement with recent experimental works showing that the limitations of EAP actuators can be overcome by making composites of flexible and high dielectric modulus materials.

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