Electromechanical Characterization of Dielectric Elastomer Actuators Under Static and Dynamic Electrical Loading for Artificial Muscles

ABSTRACT This work investigates the electrical, mechanical, and electromechanical behavior in a cost‐effective acrylic elastomer named Bapna Tape (BPT by Bapna Enterprises, India) exhibiting similar stretchability and functionality as VHB 4910 (3M, USA) dielectric elastomer for soft actuator towards artificial muscle. Herein, an in‐house fabricated planar actuator using BPT is subjected to static electrical loading voltage up to failure to identify the optimal pre‐strain () for maximum actuation. Actuators with optimal pre‐strain are tested under dynamic electrical loading to assess reliability, feasibility, and sustainability for artificial muscle applications by analyzing actuation performance and electrical breakdown strength. The relative permittivity () of both materials is found to be nearly 4.7, with a minimal difference, while the elastic modulus of BPT at low strain aligns with that of VHB 4910 elastomer. The results show that the actuator configured with 200% radial pre‐strained elastomer () yields maximum actuation () and electrical breakdown strength () under static loading. Whereas, dynamic electrical loading with optimum pre‐stain, the actuator exhibits increased actuation strain with higher residual strain in subsequent cycles. Prolonged exposure (100 s) to a constant elevated voltage increases actuation strain over time and shows direct proportionality to the applied voltage. Further, the electrical breakdown strength of BPT varies based on the history of electrical loading (static or dynamic). This work highlights the importance of evaluating the performance reliability of cost‐effective elastomers to aid in commercialization of DE towards artificial muscles.