Mechanical theory of adhesion

The mechanical theory explains the phenomenon of adhesion, It is directly linked to the
porosity and surface roughness of the substrate with the degree of adhesion that can be
obtained.
Any type of material if it is observed at the microscopic level, has a surface composed of
valleys and ridges, the surface topography allows the adhesive to penetrate and fill the
valleys, resulting in anchorage areas between the adhesive and substrate.
The mechanical model of adhesion is similar to the operation of the Velcro, where part of
the material penetrates the other creating anchors bracket.
Apart from the roughness and porosity of the substrate surface, to generate adhesion
anchor points, it is necessary that the adhesive has a good filling power, the adhesive can
penetrate into the valleys and pores substrate surface, the adhesive filling power is
directly related to its viscosity.
Mechanical adhesion theory does not account for the incompatibility that may exist
between the adhesive and the substrate, it only takes into account the topography of the
substrate and adhesive filling power, and so this theory can not explain the adhesion
between surfaces with low roughness or smooth, nor the lack of adhesion between rough
substrates incompatible with adhesive.

Adsorption theory
The adsorption theory or model explains the phenomenon of adhesion based on concepts
such as contact angle, wet ability and surface tension.
When the adhesive has a lower surface tension compared to the substrate surface
energy, it is capable of wetting the surface, generating a contact angle less than 90 °,
thus generating the adhesion between the adhesive and substrate.
Against the mechanical model and the model of diffusion, adsorption model explains the
phenomenon of adhesion without penetration by the adhesive to the substrate; the
adhesion is generated by the contact between the adhesive and substrate.

Chemisorption theory
Chemisorption theory is an extension of the adsorption theory of adhesion, in which the
adhesive has properly wet the substrate; the adhesion phenomenon arises when
generating intermolecular or Van der Waals forces and chemical bonds between the
adhesive and substrate.
Using this theory we can explain the use of the compatible agents between the adhesive
and substrate.
Diffusion theory
The diffusion model explains the concept of adhesion by the compatibility between
polymers and the movements that occur in the polymer chains.
When two polymers are compatible, its polymer chains are able to mix up between them,
resulting in partial penetration between the 2 materials, as a result of these penetrations
anchorage areas and adhesion points take place.
The mobility and degree of penetration of the polymers is determined directly by their
molecular weight, so that short polymer chains have high mobility and penetrate into the
other material before the long polymer chain.
Rouse model and reptation model give a detailed explanation of the movements that
occur between the polymer chains which produce the diffusion.
Using this theory can explain the phenomenon of adhesion that occurs between polymeric
materials, plastic welding, plastic binding with adhesives, etc...

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