Cohesive Zone Law Extraction from an Experimental Peel Test

Abstract

The measurement of interface mechanical properties between an adhesive layer and a substrate is significant for optimization of a high-quality interface. A common method for measuring these properties is the peel test. Although analytical models exist for the peeling of elastic adhesives from smooth surfaces, there is a need for rigorous experiments in this area. Tests are conducted using a peel arrangement capable of peel angles from 0° to 180°. Experimental validation is achieved through a series of displacement-controlled tests using elastic adhesive tapes. The steady-state peel force is measured at each angle and compared to the predicted values based upon the governing relations of Kendall and Rivlin.