Silicone-based materials, dielectric elastomers

While the performance of a dielectric elastomer transducer depends upon the dielectric and elastomeric properties of the polymer material, a great many polymer materials can be used. Because of this flexibility, unlike most other electroactive polymers (EAPs), different polymer materials can be selected for different applications, depending on the desired performance and physical properties. The best performing materials (those with greatest strains) are based on commercially available formulations of silicone rubber (polydimethyl siloxane) and acrylic elastomers such as the VHB series from 3M Corp. (Minnesota, USA) [11]. 

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