Abstract:
Elastomeric adhesives are composed of high polymer elastomers and tackifying resins.
Debonding of elastomeric adhesives from hard surfaces is initiated by the formation of cavities
which extend in the bulk of the adhesives. Often cavities are seen nucleating at the immediate
vicinity of the interface. Surface properties, topography and chemical composition have an
important influence on the associated mechanism of debonding. Elastomeric adhesive materials
during debonding from hard surfaces focus on the adhesion force, the adhesion energy and the
elastic behavior of these materials. The shear modulus, bulk modulus and shear stress can be
studied using a gamut of adhesion tests. These methods can be used to macroscopically study
debonding.
In this thesis, I present a review of all the tests done to study the adhesive properties of the
materials. Further, I discuss various material systems that can be classified as elastic and visco-
elastic.
