An elastic-plastic microcontact with adhesion was studied using a finite element model. This model differs from the existing models, in that it includes the effect of adhesion on the deformation and stresses field, making it applicable to a wide range of material properties. It shows two distinct separation modes, brittle separation and ductile separation. To the best of our knowledge this is the first time that a finite element model has predicted ductile separation in an adhesive contact. Three key parameters affecting the contact and separation modes are also discussed. Further work is expected to fully reveal the effect of these parameters on the separation modes. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.