Voltage-induced pinnacle response in the dynamics of dielectric elastomers

A dielectric elastomer is capable of large deformation under alternating electromechanical excitation. In this paper, several dynamic properties of a dielectric elastomer are investigated, in particular the effect of strain stiffening. A theoretical model is established that shows that the bias voltage affects the amplitude and the response waveform during vibration, a curve with the shape of a pinnacle. We also describe the underlying physical mechanism by considering the molecular chain length and cross-linking density of the material. A phase portrait is presented that reveals the transitional behavior of the dielectric elastomer as it switches between soft and stiffened vibration states.