Finite Element Analysis of Thickness Dependent Debonding Forces of Elastomer Coatings

Adhesion tests consisting of cylindrical studs to be pulled off from a soft elastomer coating on a substrate have been widely performed in the literature to characterize various biofouling and adhesive situations. These experiments have shown that the pull-off forces are strongly dependent on the coating thickness. To understand this thickness dependence on the debonding forces, a detailed analysis is performed by the finite element method, applying the virtual crack closure technique. In these simulations, coating thickness, elastic modulus, and initial geometries have been varied to study their influence on the debonding forces. The effect of these factors on the debonding forces is discussed with respect to experimental pull-off results of silicone coatings.