Contact angle is an important parameter that characterizes the degree of wetting of a material. While for a static case, estimation and measurement of contact angle has been well established, same can not be said for the dynamic case. There is still a lack of understanding and consensus as to the fundamental factors governing the microscopic dynamic contact angle. With the aim of understanding the physics and identifying the parameters that govern the actual or microscopic dynamic contact angle, we derive a model based on first principles, by performing a force balance around the region containing the contact line. It is found that in addition to the surface tension, the microscopic dynamic contact angle is also a function of surface tension gradient and the jump in normal stress across the interface. In addition to having a significant contribution in determining the microscopic dynamic contact angle, surface tension gradient is also a key cause for contact angle hysteresis.
- Fluids Engineering Division
A Generalized Model for Dynamic Contact Angle Available to Purchase
Thalakkottor, JJ, & Mohseni, K. "A Generalized Model for Dynamic Contact Angle." Proceedings of the ASME 2017 Fluids Engineering Division Summer Meeting. Volume 1C, Symposia: Gas-Liquid Two-Phase Flows; Gas and Liquid-Solid Two-Phase Flows; Numerical Methods for Multiphase Flow; Turbulent Flows: Issues and Perspectives; Flow Applications in Aerospace; Fluid Power; Bio-Inspired Fluid Mechanics; Flow Manipulation and Active Control; Fundamental Issues and Perspectives in Fluid Mechanics; Transport Phenomena in Energy Conversion From Clean and Sustainable Resources; Transport Phenomena in Materials Processing and Manufacturing Processes. Waikoloa, Hawaii, USA. July 30–August 3, 2017. V01CT23A001. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/FEDSM2017-69091
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