Compression behavior of typical silicone rubbers for soft robotics applications at elevated temperatures

Abstract

In this communication, we analyze the compression behavior of typical silicone rubbers used in soft robotics applications at elevated temperatures. In particular, compression experiments according to ISO 7743 are performed with three mixing ratios (base polymer to curing agent) of Sylgard, Elastosil, and Ecoflex at 24 °C (room temperature), 30 °C, 40 °C, 50 °C, and 60 °C. Furthermore, typical hyperelastic material models are fitted to the measured stress-strain curves for room temperature. It is shown that the (third-order) Yeoh model shows the best overall fit, and the corresponding model parameters are stated.