A new multi-physics model of an IP2C actuator in the electrical, chemical, mechanical and thermal domains

Ionic Polymer-Polymer Composites (IP²Cs) are electro-active polymers which can be used both as sensors and as actuator. In this work a new multi-physics model of IP²Cs working as actuators is developed and implemented using a Finite Element Methods solver (Comsol FemLab). The model integrates electrical, mechanical, chemical and thermal effects in a unique solution and attention is focused on the coupling factors among the physics domains. Knowledge acquired by measuring campaigns has been included in the model. In particular, the temperature dependence of Young´s modulus was experimentally determined and introduced in such a model. The IP²C model was then validated using experimental data.