Adhesion is explained by several mechanisms that describe how surfaces bond:
- Mechanical Interlocking: Adhesive fills surface irregularities, locking into microscopic pores to create a physical bond.
- Electrostatic Attraction: Oppositely charged surfaces generate electrostatic forces that help hold materials together.
- Diffusion: Molecules from the adhesive and substrate intermix at the interface, forming bonds through molecular entanglement.
- Chemical Bonding: Strong covalent, ionic, or hydrogen bonds form between the adhesive and substrate at the molecular level.
In real-world applications, multiple adhesion mechanisms often work together to create durable, reliable bonds.