Thermodynamics of adhesion

Considering thermodynamics of adhesion, epoxy/novolac epoxy resins play a vital role for bonding applications especially for inhibition of composite propellants. In view of this fact, it is considered worthwhile to discuss the chemistry of epoxy/novolac epoxy resins in this section before we discuss other systems for this purpose. 

Readers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of the interaction forces, adhesion mechanism, and thermodynamics of adhesion are recommended to consult Fundamentals of Adhesion, edited by Lieng-Huang LeeJ This reference provides a qualitative and quantitative treatment of adhesion, complete with derivation of force interaction equations. 

The work of adhesion and work of cohesion have been define and discussed in detail in O Chap. 6, Thermodynamics of Adhesion. 

At the start of O Sect. 2.2 on adsorption theory, it was pointed out that thermodynamic theories of wetting (cf. O Chap. 6. Thermodynamics of Adhesion) enable a prediction to be made of the extent of contact between a liquid adhesive and a given substrate, provided information relating to interfacial energies and contact angles was available. Obviously a thermodynamic theory predicts the equilibrium state, and in practice it is important to consider whether equilibrium will be attained. 

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