On the two-potential constitutive modeling of dielectric elastomers

Kamalendu Ghosh, Oscar Lopez-Pamies

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This work lays out the two-potential framework for the constitutive modeling of dielectric elastomers. After its general presentation, where the constraints imposed by even electromechanical coupling, material frame indifference, material symmetry, and entropy imbalance are all spelled out, the framework is utilized to put forth a specific constitutive model for the prominent class of isotropic incompressible dielectric elastomers. The model accounts for the non-Gaussian elasticity and electrostriction typical of such materials, as well as for their deformation-enhanced shear thinning due to viscous dissipation and their time-dependent polarization due to electric dissipation. The key theoretical and practical features of the model are discussed, with special emphasis on its specialization in the limit of small deformations and moderate electric fields. The last part of this paper is devoted to the deployment of the model to fully describe the electromechanical behavior of a commercially significant dielectric elastomer, namely, the acrylate elastomer VHB 4910 from 3M.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1505-1521
Number of pages17
JournalMeccanica
Volume56
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2021

Keywords

  • Dissipative solids
  • Electrostriction
  • Finite deformations
  • Internal variables

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'On the two-potential constitutive modeling of dielectric elastomers'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this