Adhesive contact of elastic spherical shells: Non-monotonic thickness dependence of pull-off force

The adhesive contact of spherical shells is a critical problem across multiple length scales. In this study, we investigate the adhesive contact between an elastic spherical shell and a rigid plane. Two independent approaches are employed: the JKR theory from an energy perspective, and a simulation-based method incorporating a traction-separation law. Our results reveal a non-monotonic relationship between pull-off force and shell thickness. Specifically, for relatively thick shells, the pull-off force decreases with decreasing thickness; however, below a critical thickness, this trend reverses, and the pull-off force begins to increase. Furthermore, we explore the underlying mechanisms responsible for this behavior and examine the influence of adhesion parameters on the overall response.

Subjects

Adhesion

Contact mechanics

Elastic shell

DDC Class

620: Engineering

Publication version

publishedVersion

Name

1-s2.0-S002250962500362X-main.pdf

Type

Main Article

Size

2.54 MB

Format

Adobe PDF

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Adhesive contact of elastic spherical shells: Non-monotonic thickness dependence of pull-off force