Development and Characterization of PVC Gel Actuator for Haptic Applications

Abstract

This study presents the first use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gel alone as a haptic actuator, addressing limitations of existing electroactive polymer (EAP) technologies such as high voltage requirements and bulky size. Although PVC gel is highlighted for its ability to generate high strain at low voltages, its low force output has previously limited its application in haptics. To overcome this, the study focuses on enhancing the force output of PVC gel actuator by improving the fabrication process. A key challenge―maintaining PVC cross-linking, which increases viscosity and is sensitive to temperature―was addressed through a novel fabrication method: forming the gel at a high temperature followed by rapid cooling that enables the creation of thin, high-performance PVC gel layers. The optimized actuator design demonstrates that PVC gel is a viable and efficient alternative for compact haptic devices.