Adhesion maps of spheres corrected for strength limit

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Surface Science
• Physics

Background:

• Current understanding of sphere adhesion relies on JKR, DMT, and MD contact theories.
• The Johnson-Greenwood (JG) adhesion map guides model selection but neglects the theoretical strength limit.
• This oversight leads to overestimated applicability and potential misguidance in classical adhesion models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the limitations of existing adhesion models for spheres.
• To incorporate the theoretical strength limit into adhesion mapping.
• To develop a corrected adhesion map for more accurate model selection.

Main Methods:

• Introduction of a strength limit into the existing adhesion map framework.
• Analysis of adhesion model selection based on the Tabor number and the ratio of theoretical strength to stiffness.
• Identification of critical parameters influencing adhesion behavior.

Main Results:

• Adhesion model selection depends on both the Tabor number and the theoretical strength-to-stiffness ratio.
• A critical Tabor number or sphere size exists below which strength limitation dominates.
• Classical adhesion models are inappropriate for spheres under these conditions.

Conclusions:

• The corrected adhesion map provides a more accurate guide for selecting adhesion models for spheres.
• The strength limit is a crucial factor to consider in adhesion analysis.
• This work refines our understanding of adhesion phenomena in spheres.