Effect of continuously variable material parameters on dynamic stability of viscoelastic dielectric elastomers

Abstract

Abstract As is known, the internal material parameters of dielectric elastomers (DEs) may largely affect the corresponding electromechanical performances. In this article, the dynamic stability analysis of viscoelastic DEs with different material parameters is investigated by using the continuous method. Several affecting material parameters, including the geometrical size, viscous damping, limiting stretch, and shear modulus, are considered, respectively. Continuous variation of geometrical size is found to induce the dynamic instability of DE, while the viscous damping and limiting stretch have limited connection with the occurrence of dynamic instability. Furthermore, increase in the ratio of the shear modulus also causes the dramatic jump of dynamic deformation of DE membranes.