Electrode material effect on electromechanical properties of dielectric elastomers in different ambient humidity

Abstract The electromechanical properties of dielectric elastomers (DEs) are surely affected by the ambient humidity and electrode materials. In this article, under a varying ambient humidity, the dielectric constant, electromechanical deformation and electrical breakdown strength of Very-High-Bond (VHB) 4905 elastomer with different electrode materials are experimentally investigated. Four common electrode materials, including carbon grease, carbon powder, conductive adhesive, and conductive silicone rubber, are involved. Experimental results directly show that the electromechanical deformation and electrical breakdown strength of DEs with different electrode materials have distinct sensitivity to humidity. Under a condition of diverse humidity, the VHB film with carbon grease is found to generate the largest voltage-induced deformation, while a high electrical breakdown strength is induced by the electrode material of carbon powder.