The discussion centers on electrostriction, a phenomenon where materials deform in response to an electric field, exhibiting a quadratic dependence on the field strength. Key literature includes "Material Parameters for Electrostriction" by Yuri M. Shkel and Daniel J. Klingenberg, which outlines five critical material parameters: relative dielectric constant (eD), derivatives of the dielectric constant tensor (a1, a2), Young's modulus (Ey), and Poisson's ratio (v). The relationship between deformation and electric field is mathematically represented as F = kE², confirming the quadratic nature of electrostriction. Recommended online resources include articles from the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and AZoM, which provide comprehensive insights into the mechanisms and applications of electrostriction.
PREREQUISITESResearchers, materials scientists, and engineers interested in the mechanical and dielectric properties of materials under electric fields, particularly those working with electrostrictive polymers and their applications in technology.
from - http://www.stormingmedia.us/73/7321/A732113.htmlAbstract: Electrostriction is often described by a phenomenological tensor relating a material's deformation to an applied electric field. However, this tensor is not a material parameter; for deformable, weakly compressible materials (e.g., elastomers), the field-induced deformations depend strongly upon boundary conditions. A different approach that relates the deformation to material properties as well as boundary conditions is required. In this paper, we describe a linear theory which introduces five material parameters governing electrostriction: the relative dielectric constant, eD, two derivatives of the dielectric constant tensor, a1 and a2, Young's modulus, Ey and Poisson's ratio, v. Knowledge of these parameters and appropriate boundary conditions allow one to predict field-induced deformations for arbitrary configurations. We demonstrate an experimental procedure for measuring deformations and permittivity changes, from which the parameters a1 and a2 may be extracted (eO, V, and Ey can be measured by a variety of established methods). The linear theory reproduces experimental results for two polyurethane films at small to moderate electric field strengths. We find that the electrostatic force associated with the parameters a1 and a2 is at least ten times larger than the Coulombic attractive force between the electrodes.
from - http://ses.confex.com/ses/2004tm/techprogram/P1584.HTMThe application of an electric field to any material can displace charge and lead to field-induced elastic strain. If the sign of the strain is unchanged on reversal of the electric field, this property is termed electrostriction and it occurs in all materials whether crystalline or not. The term electrostrictive polymer is used in this study to describe the stress and strain response of a polymer subjected to an electric field. Electostriction is distinguished from piezoelectric behaviour in that the response is proportional to the square of the electric field rather than proportional to the field. The dielectric and mechanical properties of the polymer material determine the magnitude of the stress and strain response. In this study, thin films of dielectric polymers are considered with compliant electrodes. When a charge is placed on the electrodes the polymer film is compressed and its area is increased since the electrodes are compliant. It is assumed that the polymer is hyperelastic, consequently electrical energy is converted to strain energy of the polymer and a concept of compression efficiency is introduced.