In order to simulate the deformation of silicone segments it is required to determine the parameters of the silicone material. Therefore, it is necessary to acquire stress-strain-characteristics of silicone samples, i.e. uniaxial tension tests of silicone stripes.
It is anticipated that PADEMIS consists of thin silicone layers manufactured by means of dip coating. Silicone samples are produced using an open casting mould simply filled with silicone monomer solution. Through this method samples up to 500 µm thickness can be produced.
A machine measuring the stress strain relations of these silicone samples was designed and assembled. It is equipped with:

• a precision linear drive, actuated by a stepping motor and linear spindle-type gear
• pulleys and a thin steel cable to increase the usable tension distance by a factor of two (and decreasing the tension force by a factor of two)
• two gripping jaws
• an incremental encoder with a pulley
• a force sensor/ strain gauge

The Motion of the linear drive is controlled by a PC (LabVIEW), that also imports the acquired data. Parameters of the tension test apparatus: max. tension force (res): 40N (10 mN) max. tension distance (res.): 400mm (10 µm) max. velocity: 15mm/ s (900mm/ min)
	Linear drive and incremental encoder with pulleys and steel cable	Force Sensor/ Strain Gauge with gripping jaws and silicon sample

 

For questions or comments, please contact: pademis@tu-ilmenau.de