Theory of Peeling through a Hookean Solid

Abstract

When the adhesive is a Hookean solid and the adhesive joint between a rigid plate and a flexible ribbon is peeled, the force required for peeling is ${\text{0.3799\hspace{0.17em}wσ(E/E}}_1{)}^{\frac{1}{4}}{\delta }^{\frac{3}{4}}{y}_0^{\frac{1}{4}}$ , if w denotes the width of the ribbon, σ the tensile strength of the adhesive, E and E₁ the moduli of elasticity of the ribbon and the adhesive, respectively, δ the thickness of the ribbon, and y₀ the initial thickness of the adhesive film. If δ=y₀, the ratio of tensile force to stripping force needed for separation is of the order of l/y₀, l being the length of the ribbon.