The effect of surface topography on the adhesion of elastic solids

Abstract

A study of the influence of surface roughness on the net work of adhesion when a smooth, high viscoelastic solid is first brought into contact with and then pulled away from a roughened Perspex surface. The work of adhesion was observed to be strongly dependent upon the rate at which these surfaces were pulled apart. The rate dependence of the adhesion could be calculated by normalizing the data obtained for the normally smooth surface. At small roughness value an increase in the adhesion was observed.