A pre-tension based adhesion-tuning approach: Bridging the gap in peeling test research and application

Abstract

Typically, peeling force increases with a decrease in peeling angle. Thus, altering the peeling angle serves as an effective means of modulating the peeling force. Research indicates that in numerous attachment and detachment applications, such as a gecko climbing on a ceiling, enhancing the normal component of peeling force is critical. However, significant changes to this force component through angle adjustment are limited. Therefore, a novel pre-tension-based attachment and detachment method considering tangential constraints was proposed here, which significantly broadens the range of normal peeling force variation, facilitating the development of various innovative applications. Subsequently, analytical solutions were derived for these peeling models, and the relationship between the normal peeling force and pre-tension was revealed. Furthermore, a finite element simulation method for peeling tests with pre-tension was introduced, and the analytical solutions were validated. Ultimately, the efficacy of the developed method was further qualitatively confirmed through experimental peeling tests. This study provides a novel perspective on the application of peeling tests and offers valuable insights for future research in this domain.