ABSTRACT
Because every method for performing an adhesion measurement involves applying a force or load of some type to the coating/substrate system, considerations of stress, strain, and deformation must inevitably be confronted. Notwithstanding the comments of Prof. Gordon quoted above, this chapter attempts to provide a brief introduction to the subject of the continuum theory of solids and to the greatest extent possible tries to avoid technical jargon while at the same time bringing into sharper focus the essential mechanics that need to be understood to grasp the role stress plays in adhesion measurement. The main focus is on developing a sufficient level of understanding of the fundamental theory so that the reader will be able to follow subsequent analytical developments, have sufficient background to confront the technical literature, and be able to perform simple but useful calculations in a competent manner. The development of necessity will be limited in scope, but a number of references to the more lucid and useful literature are provided to give ample means for the interested reader to delve deeper into the subject.
