High throughput adhesion energy measurement using roll-to-roll peeling process
A novel roll-to-roll mechanical peeling process enables real-time, high throughput measurement of adhesion energy for adhesives and coatings, enhancing material evaluation efficiency.
Overview
The roll-to-roll (R2R) mechanical peeling process developed by our research team provides a groundbreaking approach to measure adhesion energy for adhesives and coatings in a high throughput, real-time manner. Adhesion energy is crucial as it determines the bonding strength between adhesives or coatings and their substrates. By measuring the tension forces required to peel materials and considering factors like peeling front geometry and material elastic moduli, this innovative method deduces adhesion energy through a mechanistic model. This process can be applied to a variety of materials, including flexible and rigid substrates, enhancing the efficiency of material evaluation.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Utilizes a roll-to-roll mechanical peeling process for continuous measurement
- Capable of deducing adhesion energy from tension forces and mechanical properties
- Applicable to various materials, including graphene, adhesives, and coatings
- Suitable for both flexible and rigid substrates
The method has been successfully used to measure graphene adhesion to copper in a roll-to-roll setup. Future adaptations aim to incorporate adhesives and coatings, requiring adjustments in the peeling process parameters and an improved mechanistic model to accommodate different material stiffness.
Technology readiness level
Currently at Technology Readiness Level 4, this technology has been validated in a laboratory setting using graphene. The next steps include adapting the process for different adhesives and coatings and validating the results with standard blister tests to ensure accuracy and reliability in diverse applications.
About University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a comprehensive public research university and the academic flagship for the state, combining scale with a collaborative, entrepreneurial culture. Industry engages through a dedicated research campus with co‑located laboratories and testbeds, plus a research park that supports company residence, prototyping, and joint development. Companies also access an advanced supercomputing center for data‑intensive work and benefit from integration with a medical school and its clinical practice for translational studies. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from NSF, NIH, DOE, DoD, and NASA. A dedicated technology transfer office streamlines IP, licensing, and startup formation, with experienced staff who work routinely with corporate R&D.
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