Dielectric Elastomer Transducers (DETs) are a promising technology for the development of actuators, generators and sensors with high performance and low cost. Practical application and economic viability of DETs is strongly affected by their reliability and lifetime, which depend on the maximum strain and electrical loads that are cyclically applied on such devices. To date, only limited information is available on the fatigue life performances of dielectric elastomer materials and of the transducers made thereof. This paper reports on a first lifetime constant electric-stress test campaign conducted on 38 free-expanding frame-stretched circular DET specimens, made of the silicone elastomer film Elastosil 2030 250/150 by Wacker with blade-casted carbon-black silicone-elastomer electrodes, that have been subjected to nearly square wave electric field signals with 1 Hz frequency, 50% duty cycle and with amplitudes ranging from 65 MV/m to 80 MV/m.
Recently, a styrenic rubber membrane (commercialized under the name of “THERABAND YELLOW 11726”) demonstrated excellent electromechanical properties for the development of high power density and highly efficient dielectric elastomer transducers (DETs). In particular, in an experimental application as generator, an inflated circular diaphragm DET based on this material made it possible to consistently convert pneumatic energy into electricity at a maximum energy density per cycle and power density greater than 400 J/kg and 650 W/kg, respectively, with even higher numbers being expected for DETs configured so as to have the material working in uniform states of deformation.
As for any other existing dielectric elastomer material, these experimented performances can however be sustained for a limited number of cycles only, after which the DET will fail irreversibly. To date, very little information is available on the fatigue life performances of dielectric elastomer materials and of the transducers made thereof.
Having identified the electrical breakdown as the most probable mode of DET failure, this paper reports for the first time on a set of lifetime constant-electric-stress tests conducted on the considered styrenic dielectric elastomer membrane.
Specifically, the paper starts with a description of the employed experimental set-up and procedures. Then, it summarizes the obtained experimental results. Finally, it concludes with a discussion on how the acquired data could be used in a design procedure to find optimal tradeoffs between DET performance and lifetime/reliability.
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