Interfacial Chemistry And Adhesion: Recent Developments And Prospects

Abstract

Recently, considerable attention has been devoted to understand the mechanism(s) by which materials adhere together. Strictly speaking, adhesion is an interfacial phenomenon, and if the events in the narrow arena of the interface can be understood and tailored, much progress can be made. The subject of adhesion, however, is both interand multidisciplinary in scope; and for a holistic approach to adhesion, a synergistic interaction is required among the various disciplines involved, viz., surface chemistry, rheo-logy, and fracture mechanics. The availability of sophisticated surface analytical tools has been a boon in the realm of adhesion. In this paper, some recent advances in the following areas have been discussed: use of surface analytical tools in ascertaining the locus of failure; use of ESCA in surface analysis of polymers and in investigating the interfacial interactions; acidity and basicity of polymers; polymer surface modification and adhesion; use of IETS in adhesion; and understanding of the chemistry of coupling agents or adhesion promoters. All available signals indicate that the prospects for adhesion science are very bright. © 1980, Walter de Gruyter. All rights reserved.