The nucleation and propagation of solitary Schallamach waves

Abstract

We isolate single Schallamach waves --- detachment fronts that mediate inhomogeneous sliding between an elastomer and a hard surface --- to study their creation and dynamics. Based on measurements of surface displacement using high-speed \emph{in situ} imaging, we establish a Burgers vector for the waves. The crystal dislocation analogues of nucleation stress, defect pinning and configurational force are demonstrated. It is shown that many experimentally observed features can be quantitatively described using a conventional model of a dislocation line in an elastic medium. We also highlight the evolution of nucleation features such as surface wrinkles, with consequences for interface delamination.

24 pages, 9 figures

References in corpus (3)

• Multiple-length-scale elastic instability mimics parametric resonance of nonlinear oscillators
• Unfolding the Sulcus
• Statics and inertial dynamics of a ruck in a rug

Cited by in corpus (7)

• Adhesion Induced Instabilities and Pattern Formation in Thin Films of Elastomers and Gels
• Distinct stick-slip modes in adhesive polymer interfaces
• Interfacial strength dominates fold formation in microscale, soft static friction
• Dependence of Adhesive Friction on Surface Roughness and Elastic Modulus
• Opposite moving detachment waves mediate stick-slip friction at soft interfaces
• Anisotropic shrinkage and finite strains in confined frictional contacts
• Fifty years of Schallamach waves: From rubber friction to nanoscale fracture