Some fundamentals of adhesion in synthetic adhesives

TL;DR

This paper reviews the mechanical and fracture mechanics principles underlying adhesion in synthetic adhesives, emphasizing elasticity, thin film effects, and applications to fouling and antifouling strategies.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of adhesion mechanisms, linking mechanical properties with fouling issues, and discusses the behavior of layered systems and non-rigid separation processes.

Findings

Elasticity significantly influences adhesion strength.

Thin film geometry causes heterogeneous deformations.

Fouling and antifouling involve specific force and torque considerations.

Abstract

Various adhesion mechanisms that have been understood in the field of synthetic adhesives are described and these are linked with situations relevant to fouling issues. The review mainly deals with mechanical aspects of adhesion phenomena, with an emphasis on the role of the elasticity of the bodies, called substrata, attached by adhesive. The consequences of thin film geometry of the adhesive material are described, such as various heterogeneous deformations upon traction. The importance of the bonding process is discussed, as well as some examples of non-wetting surfaces. As seen from a distance, the adhesive layer is merely one interface; Some basic ideas of fracture mechanics are provided and in particular, the behavior of layered systems is discussed. Rolling sticky objects and peeled (flexible) adhesive tapes display similar mechanisms and it is shown how they differ from the normal separation of rigid bodies. Some issues directly related to fouling issues are also discussed, such as forces and torques acting on shells, the advantages of gregarious settlement behavior and concepts for fouling release and antifouling.