Deflection Properties of PDMS-based Flexible Thin Films for Pneumatic Actuator Applications

This study investigates the mechanical behavior of flexible membranes under pneumatic actuation. The correlations between membrane deformation characteristics and key parameters - membrane thickness, applied pressure, and actuation time - were systematically analyzed. The experimental results demonstrated that both deformation magnitude and velocity increased with decreasing membrane thickness and increasing applied pressure, with deformation exhibiting saturation behavior under all tested conditions. Notably, the initial deformation velocity remained constant regardless of actuation time, while the recovery velocity showed an inverse relationship with membrane thickness. These findings provide fundamental insights for optimizing the design of pneumatic-based actuators, such as micropumps and dispensers, that utilize flexible membrane structures.