Non-linear double-peeling: Experimental vs. theoretical predictions

The double peeling of detachment of non-linear adhesive tapes from a flat Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) surface has been investigated from both experimental and theoretical point of view. Double peeling tests show that, as the detachment process advances, the peeling angle stabilizes on a limiting value θlim corresponding to a critical pull-off force Fc above which the tape is completely detached from the substrate. This observed behavior is in good agreement with results obtained following the new theory of multiple peeling and taking into account the hardening-softening non-linear behavior of the experimentally tested adhesive tapes and clarifies some aspects of the experimental data. In particular, the theoretical model shows that the value of the limiting peeling angle depends on the geometry of the adhesive tape as well as on the stiffness properties and on the interfacial energy ∆γ. Finally, theoretical predictions confirm that solutions with a peeling angle lower than θlim are unstable.