Eur. Phys. J. E (2006) 21: 161-174
https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2006-10057-5

Regular Article

Dewetting of thin polymer films

Laboratoire de Physico-Chimie Théorique, UMR CNRS 7083, ESPCI, 10 rue Vauquelin, 75231, Paris Cedex 05, France

^* e-mail: thomas.vilmin@gmail.com

Received: 4 July 2006
Accepted: 9 November 2006
Published online: 5 December 2006

Abstract

We study the dewetting of thin polymer films deposited on slippery substrate. Recent experiments on these systems have revealed many unexpected features. We develop here a model that takes into account the rheological properties of polymer melts, focussing on two dewetting geometries (the receding of a straight edge, and the opening of a hole). We show that the friction law associated with the slippage between the film and the substrate has a direct influence on the dewetting dynamic. In addition, we demonstrate that residual stresses, which can be stored in the films due to their viscoelasticity, are a source of destabilization for polymer films, and accelerate the dewetting process.