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Microsphere Adhesion on Rubber Films Accompanied by Sphere Sedimentation
Shoko Mishima1, Toshiaki Ougizawa1
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|May 22, 2020
Summary
The adhesion of rigid microspheres to rubber films is primarily driven by the rubber's bulk viscoelastic properties, not surface energy. This finding is crucial for developing advanced industrial materials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Physics
- Surface Science
Background:
- Adhesion between rigid fillers and viscoelastic materials is key for industrial material design.
- The adhesion process is complex, influenced by adhesive, adherend, and interface properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the adhesion of microspheres onto rubber films.
- To identify the dominant factor governing the adhesion process in this system.
Main Methods:
- Utilized atomic force microscopy (AFM) for force-sample deformation curve measurements.
- Conducted creep tests on rubber films to analyze viscoelastic behavior.
- Observed meniscus formation and sphere sedimentation dynamics.
Main Results:
- Sphere sedimentation occurs even when surface free energy is lower for the sphere than the rubber.
- Meniscus formation driving force aligns with Young's equation at the tangential line.
- Adhesion is predominantly controlled by the bulk viscoelasticity of the rubber film.
Conclusions:
- The viscoelastic property of the bulk rubber is the dominant factor in microsphere adhesion.
- Sphere and interface properties have a lesser influence on the overall adhesion process.
- Understanding this viscoelastic dominance is vital for optimizing filler-adhesion in composite materials.
