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http://dx.doi.org/10.7234/kscm.2007.20.3.050

A Study on Mechanical Properties of IPMC actuators  

Kim, Hong-Il (한국과학기술원 기계항공시스템학부 항공우주공학 대학원)
Kim, Dae-Kwan (한국과학기술원 기계항공시스템학부 항공우주공학 대학원)
Han, Jae-Hung (한국과학기술원 기계항공시스템학부 항공우주공학)
Publication Information
Composites Research / v.20, no.3, 2007 , pp. 50-54 More about this Journal
Abstract
The Ionic Polymer Metal Composite (IPMC), an electro-active polymer, has many advantages including bending actuation, low weight, low power consumption, and flexibility. These advantages coincide with the requirements of a bio-related application. Thus, IPMC is promising materials for bio-mimetic actuator and sensor applications. Before applying IPMC to actual application, basic mechanical properties of IPMC should be studied in order to utilize IPMC for practical uses. Therefore, IPMCs are fabricated to investigate the mechanical characteristics. Nafion is used as a base ionic polymer. Mason samples cast with various thicknesses are used to test the thickness effects of IPMC. Subsequently, IPMC is fabricated using the chemical reduction method. The deformation, blocking force and frequency response of the IPMC actuator are important properties. In this present study, the performances of the IPMC actuators, including the deformation, blocking force and natural frequency, are then obtained according to only the input voltage and IPMC dimensions. Finally, the empirical performance model and the equivalent stiffness model of the IPMC actuator are established using experiments results.
Keywords
Electro-active Polymer; IPMC(ionic Polymer Metal Composite); Nafion; Deformation; Blocking Force; Frequency Response;
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