Effect of mechanical force field on the electromechanical stability of dielectric elastomers

To study the electromechanical stability of dielectric elastomer subjected to a mechanical force field, we use free energy functions of variable forms to analyze the mechanical performance of dielectric elastomer. The relation among critical nominal electric field, critical true electric field, nominal stress and mechanical force field is derived. These calculations agree well with the experimental results. The results can help us better understand the stability conditions of dielectric elastomers and furthermore guide the design and manufacture of sensors and actuators based on dielectric elastomers.