Study on deformation theory and resonance frequency of circular-plane PVC actuator

Abstract The polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gel actuator has the advantages of low mass density, large actuation strain, good compliance, and simple fabrication. It deforms when excited by a voltage, and the deformation amplitude of the actuator is higher when an alternating current voltage of a specific frequency causes the actuator to resonate. In this paper, a circular-plane actuator based on PVC gel film and flexible electrodes was developed. Then, a theoretical model is established based on the Yeoh strain energy density function model and the mechanical analysis of deformation region-boundary constraints, the key parameters affecting the deformation are obtained. Subsequently, finite element simulation tests were done on the basis of this model, and the values of uniaxial stretching were highly consistent with the previous actual experimental results, which verified the reasonableness of the model and simulation method. Then, we focus on the analysis of the resonance frequencies of PVC actuators with different plasticizer content, electrode diameter, and pre-stretching degree. Finally, we compare the differences in time-domain characteristics of PVC actuators in the resonant and non-resonant states.