Improvement of electrostrictive properties of a polyether-based polyurethane elastomer filled with conductive carbon black

The electrostrictive properties of a polyether-based polyurethane elastomer and its corresponding composites filled with conductive carbon black (CB) were studied by measuring the thickness strain SZ induced by external electric fields E. For films with thicknesses of approximately 50 μm, the apparent electrostrictive coefficient M was measured at low electric fields, E ⩽ 4 V/μm, and different CB contents (up to a volume fraction of 2%). Dielectric measurements in AC mode were performed in order to determine the percolation threshold fc, which was 1.25 v%. This optimal volume fraction yielded a remarkable threefold increase in M, associated with an increase of the dielectric constant by a factor 7, in comparison with pure PU. This enhancement of the electric field-induced strain and apparent electrostriction was mainly triggered by an increase of the dielectric constant, even if the intrinsic electrostriction coefficient Q was decreased. The nanocomposites thus seem to be very attractive for low-frequency electromechanical applications. Above fc, their conductivity was raised and their electrostrictive activity lost. Finally, there is a good agreement between the experimentally determined dependence on the CB content of the M coefficient and the theoretical estimation calculated from dielectric and mechanical measurements.