We show that the interplay between surface roughness on micron scale and air suction can yield tack energies much higher than thermodynamic surface energies. Our model provides a quantitative interpretation of highly nonlinear force-versus-separation curves which are usually observed when adhesion forces and energies are high.

• Received 15 April 1998

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.82.936