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The peel test in experimental adhesive-fracture mechanics

Paper demonstrates the potential use of peel tests in obtaining adhesive-fracture-energy values

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Abstract

Several test specimens have been proposed for obtaining adhesive-fracture energy, γa, in bond systems. These tests include blister, cone, lap-shear and peel tests. Peel tests have been used for many years to compare relative strengths of different adhesives, different surface-preparation techniques, etc. This paper demonstrates the potential use of peel tests in obtaining γa values.

There are several reasons for devloping the peel test for fracture-mechanics work. First, most laboratories have facilities for preparing peel specimens. In addition, the adhesivefracture energy has recently been shown to be a function of loading mode. In peel tests, various combinations of Mode I and Mode II loadings can be applied by varying the peel angle.

Peel-test-analysis methods discussed include closed-form solutions for particular peel-specimen geometries loaded with a given force and numerical techniques for general peel-specimen analysis.

This paper also points out the difference between debond load and maximum peel load. The debond-load to maximum-load ratio is shown to depend upon adhesive type but independent of load rate over three decades of time for two different adhesive systems tested.

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Abbreviations

A :

cross-sectional area (m2)

a :

debond length (m)

E :

modulus (Pa)

G c :

critical energy-release rate

p :

applied load (N)

p cr :

critical load (N)

U :

stored energy (J)

W :

work (J)

ω:

width (m)

Γ:

total fracture energy (J)

γa:

adhesive-fracture-energy density (J/m2)

Δ:

increment

θ:

peel angle measured from the plane of the specimen (deg)

λ:

extension ratio (m/m)

ε:

strain (m/m)

References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Thiokol Corporation, 84302, Brigham City, UT

    G. P. Anderson (Scientist)

  2. Metallurgy and Materials Research Section, Division of Materials Research, National Science Foundation, 20550, Washington, DC

    K. L. DeVries

  3. University of Pittsburgh, 15261, Pittsburgh, PA

    M. L. Williams (Professor of Engineering)

Authors
  1. G. P. Anderson
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  2. K. L. DeVries
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  3. M. L. Williams
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Anderson, G.P., DeVries, K.L. & Williams, M.L. The peel test in experimental adhesive-fracture mechanics. Experimental Mechanics 16, 11–15 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02328915

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02328915

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