1. Thermodynamic approach

R.A. Gledhill and A.J. Kinloch [118] have considered, by observing the loss of strength of assemblies bonded to steel substrates after immersion in water, a thermodynamic prediction of the time resistance of the oxidized iron/adhesive interface. This intrinsic stability of the substrate/adhesive interface, in the presence of any liquid environment, can be determined by evaluating the work of adhesion substrate (S) – adhesive (A) W _SA , the energy required to reversibly separate one unit of interface area into two parts.

If secondary forces act at the interface [Van der Waals (D) and Lewis acid-base (AB) type], in the absence of chemisorption, mechanical anchoring and interdiffusion, the thermodynamic work of adhesion W _SA ...