The Influence of the Fractal Dimension of Rough Surfaces on the Adhesion of Elastic Materials

• Published in: Journal of adhesion science and technology Vol. 26; no. 22; pp. 2555 - 2570
• Main Authors: Carbone, G., Pierro, E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 01-11-2012; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: adhesion; Applied sciences; Contact mechanics; Exact sciences and technology; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polymer industry, paints, wood; roughness; Technology of polymers; tribology; Fractal dimension; Roughness; Contact mechanics; Surface properties; Polymer; Rubber; Adhesion; Block copolymer; Tribology
• ISSN: 0169-4243; 1568-5616
• DOI: 10.1163/156856111X623140

In this paper we analyse the adhesion between a rubber block and a rigid randomly rough profile. The focus of the investigation is on the influence of the work of adhesion and of the fractal dimension Df of the rough profile on the contact behaviour. In particular, we analyse how the contact area and the power spectral density of the deformed profile are affected by the two aforementioned quantities. We find that at sufficiently small loads the influence of Df is negligible. However, the scenario strongly changes at higher loads as Df strongly affects the number of contact spots. Calculations show that the contact area depends linearly on the work of adhesion, whereas only a negligible influence of the work of adhesion is found on the power spectral density (PSD) of the deformed profile.