Antagonist adhesion effects due to variable substrate surface

Abstract

The effects of variability of intrinsic adhesion within a joint have been studied using a single cantilever beam (SCB) test. Fracture energy was found not to be a simple function of relative areas of 2 surface pre-treatments: a ‘weak’ zone decreased strength more than expected from simple, additive considerations. By severing the adhesive along the strong–weak transition, fracture energy increased. The prior antagonist effect appears to be directly linked to supplementary stresses generated near the crossover by continuity of the adhesive layer, existent despite differences in adhesion.