Examine of mechanical load of silicone rubber by optical methods

Silicone rubber is an essential construction material in food industry, medicine and in some fields of mechanical engineering, because it has special mechanical, electrical, biological and other special properties. Over the usage of silicone rubber as structural material, the "intelligent" behaviour is more and more important. In this case the question arises whether its optical properties change by the effect of mechanical load or deformation? Can it be used like sensor, utilizing these properties? The paper shows the newest result of our optical research in connection with silicone rubber and shows the possibility of its usage for optical strain and force sensor, using its birefringence.