Static stability analysis of dielectric elastomer

Abstract

Dielectric elastomers (DEs) are compliant electroactive polymers with high energy density and rapid response, making them attractive for soft actuators. Their operational reliability, however, is limited by electromechanical instability (EMI). This study employs the Kelvin–Voigt Generalized Maxwell (KV-GM) model to evaluate steady-state stability under uniaxial, equibiaxial, and non-equibiaxial pre-stretch conditions. The results demonstrate that pre-stretch configuration strongly affects critical voltage and deformation capacity, and that appropriate pre-stretch can suppress EMI and improve the stable operating range of DE actuators.