In Figure 4a the influence of different hardener types on the electromechanically achievable strain is demonstrated for circular planar actuator configurations comprising the corresponding silicone material as dielectric material sandwiched between compliant electrodes of conductive carbon paint. The elastomer SR5 (cross linked with 5% of hardener 81-R), with the lowest young’s modulus (see tab. 1) reaches the highest strain compared to the other hardener types.