Abstract
A finite element simulation of a blister test of an elastic–plastic film, bonded to a substrate and subject to plane strain conditions, is performed. A traction-separation law models the fracture process ahead of the crack tip at the interface between the thin film and the substrate. Only two parameters are significant in describing the traction-separation law: adhesion energy,
Γ
0
and interface strength,
σ
ˆ
. The dependences of the pressure,
P, and the product of the pressure with the central deflection,
PH, on the adhesion properties (
Γ
0
and
σ
ˆ
), the geometry and material properties of the film are studied. The latter quantity (
PH) has the same unit as the adhesion energy,
Γ
0
, and is “conceptually” appropriate for the analysis. We suggest a method to extract the adhesion energy,
Γ
0
and the interface strength,
σ
ˆ
, independently from the total energy dissipated.