A model of nonlinear thermo-electroelasticity in extended thermodynamics

A model of nonlinear thermo-electroelasticity is presented within the frame of extended thermodynamics and in the quasi-electrostatic regime. The model is based on a Cattaneo-type evolution equation and includes several couplings between the mechanical, thermal and electric fields, and may therefore be used to describe a broad range of interactions in polarizable materials. Calculations are restricted, however, to the quadratic nonlinearities for definiteness. The governing equations and related boundary conditions are expressed in material coordinates, which makes them particularly suitable for treating moving boundary problems, in particular electracoustic applications in which the electrodes are attached to the body surface. A particular one-dimensional case allows to put in evidence the wave nature of heat propagation.