Rubber adhesion and the dwell time effect

In earlier studies of elastomer adhesion it has been found that the level of adhesion rises with increasing contact time for joined surfaces. Physical reasons for this dwell time effect are under debate. This paper describes an experimental study of the effect using the contact of optically smooth rubber surfaces pressed against glass. The study confirms the existence of the effect for a range of vulcanized rubber compounds; surface bloom appears to be strongly linked with it for the particular cases examined.