Soft elasticity and mechanical damping in liquid crystalline elastomers

Abstract

The dynamic soft response of polydomain liquid crystalline elastomers to simple shear is reported. Significantly, these materials also show extremely large loss behavior with tan δ exceeding 1 or even 1.5 over very wide temperature ranges, with clear implications for damping applications. By comparing materials that exhibit different types of liquid crystalline phases, we identify the nematic state as a better damping phase than that in materials with smectic phases. Additionally, we provide experimental evidence for directions which should be explored for further improvements in the damping behavior of liquid crystalline elastomers.