Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
Simultaneous mechanical and calorimetric measurements of the work and the heat of peeling have been made for polyester films bonded to rigid metal substrates with a pressure sensitive adhesive. Most of the work expended in peeling is consumed by plastic deformation and viscous dissipation. 70% to 85% of the peel energy is dissipated as heat. The peeled polyester films were tightly curled. Energy stored in the peeled polyester films was measured using solution calorimetry and a significant fraction of the peel energy not dissipated as heat was found to be stored in the peeled films.