  We present experimental results for the dependency of the pull-off time
(failure time) on the pull-off force for suction cups in the air and in water.
The results are analyzed using a theory we have developed for the contact
between suction cups and randomly rough surfaces. The theory predicts the
dependency of the pull-off time (failure time) on the pull-off force, and is
tested with measurements performed on suction cups made from a soft polyvinyl
chloride (PVC). As substrates we used sandblasted poly(methyl methacrylate)
(PMMA). The theory is in good agreement with the experiments in air, except for
surfaces with the root-mean-square (rms) roughness below $\approx 1 \ {\rm \mu
m}$, where we observed lifetimes much longer than predicted by the theory. We
show that this is due to out-diffusion of plasticizer from the soft PVC, which
block the critical constrictions along the air flow channels. In water some
deviation between theory and experiments is observed which may be due to
capillary forces. We discuss the role of cavitation for the failure time of
suction cups in water.
