Generalized approach to adhesion via the interfacial deposition of amphipathic molecules. II. Adhesion of polyethylene to aluminum

Oriented monolayer adhesives of radioactive stearic acid have been employed to bond polyethylene to aluminum. Bonding time, bonding temperature, and rate of peel are several of the parameters that were varied to determine their effect on the final peel strength. Techniques for maximizing the resistance to peel are discussed and incorporated in this communication. Peel strengths in excess of 100 lb./in. width are reported with stearic acid as the monolayer adhesive. The peel forces obtained in the present investigation are more than two orders of magnitude greater than those reported in the literature. The only limitation being the cohesive strength of the thermoplastic adhered. Kaeble's peel force theory is described and adapted to our experimental data. Reasonably good agreement is obtained for low peel strengths (≤25 lb./in. width).