New study uncovers efficient approach to manufacturing with elastomersRice University researchers develop model for faster curing of flexible robots. Credit: techxplore.com

Flexible robots, made with soft and safe materials like elastomers, are becoming increasingly popular for interacting with humans and delicate objects. To help improve the manufacturing process for these robots, researchers at Rice University have developed a model to predict the curing time of platinum-catalyzed silicone elastomers based on temperature.

According to Daniel Preston, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Rice University, the use of elastomers in soft robotics has grown significantly in the past decade. However, there has been a lack of quantitative data on how curing affects these materials. The team's research aims to fill this gap and provide a more efficient and waste-reducing approach to manufacturing.

Traditionally, manufacturing processes involving elastomers have relied on estimates for temperature and duration, leading to inconsistencies and inefficiencies. By using a rheometer to analyze the curing behavior of six commercially available elastomers, the researchers were able to develop a model that predicts how temperature impacts curing speed.

The model is based on the Arrhenius relationship, which relates the rate of chemical reactions to temperature. The team used this concept, along with rheological data, to create an analytical model that can have a direct impact on manufacturing practices.

In their study, the researchers also looked at the mechanical properties of elastomers cured at elevated temperatures. They found that heating the materials did not alter their strength or performance. However, adhesion between components was affected, which could be important for assembling complex soft robotic systems.

The team's research has potential applications in various industries, such as medicine, agriculture, disaster relief, and research. By expanding the design space for manufacturing with thermally cured elastomers, the possibilities for using these materials in new and improved ways are endless. In the future, the unique properties of silicone elastomers will continue to be an asset in a range of industries.

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