  We consider a microscopic model for the failure of soft adhesives in tension
based on ideas of bond rupture under dynamic loading. Focusing on adhesive
failure under loading at constant velocity, we demonstrate that bi-modal curves
of stress against strain may occur due to effects of finite polymer chain or
bond length and characterise the loading conditions under which such bi-modal
behaviour is observed. The results of this analysis are in qualitative
agreement with experiments performed on unconfined adhesives in which failure
does not occur by cavitation.
