experimental
test-bench
is considered particularly promising.
A custom experimental test-bench and
procedure have been developed and employed to run isothermal and isometric
tensile tests on a set of specimens that are fabricated with a simple and repeatable
process. The results of the experiments highlight some important issues related to
the response of these actuators such as hysteresis, repeatability, predictability and
stored elastic energy.
A. Isothermal tests
B. Isometric tests
C. Mapping of the mechanical response
D. of elastic energy
Schematic representation of homochiral and heterochiral coiled TPFAs. Polymeric chain direction is highlighted in
red.