Abstract
Application of fracture mechanics concepts to adherence of elastic and viscoelastic solids is examined. It is shown that the Dugdale-Barenblatt model could be applied both for explaining the transition from Johnson-Kendall-Roberts to Deryagin-Muller-Toporov solution in adherence of spheres, and for liquid bridges. The problem of the threshold energy release rate G0 for elastomers is considered. It is proposed to add to the viscoelastic losses a supplementary friction term when polymeric chains strongly held at the interface by primary bonds are pulled out.