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Abstract
The cleavage of adhesive joints allows the experimental study of the process of fracture in the low speed range. The value of the fracture energy deduced from the fracture length is the static toughness of the adhesive. This value, which determines the endurance limit of the joint, is much larger than can be explained by the current theories. It depends on the surface treatment of the substrate and results from the damage of the adhesive bonds. To take into account these results, the equation describing the fracture of adhesive joints as it was proposed by A. N. Gent and J. Schultz has to be extended. When that is done, it applies to viscoelastic adhesives, whether pressure sensitive or hot melts, and probably also to cross-linked adhesives.
If G is the fracture energy of the joint, the equation G = G 0 + α K 2 ·va accounts for most experimental results and even for the fatigue of adhesive joints.