Home About Us Analytical Techniques Problem Solving Analysis Consultancy Industrial Sectors Contact Us
Surface Analysis
Wettability and Surface Wetting Characteristics
Wettability and Surface Wetting Characteristics
Optical Contact Angle Measurement
Dynamic Contact Angle Tensiometer
Paints, Coatings, Printing Inks and Security Holograms
Petrochemicals
Paper and Coatings
Polymer Wetting and Surface Chemistry
Adhesive Wetting and Surface Chemistry
Powder Wetting Characteristics
Surfactants Wetting
Fibre Wetting
Contact Lens Wetting
Medical Device Wetting and Contaminants
Ceramics
Cosmetics and Healthcare
Microelectronics Wafer Surface Cleanliness
Agrochemicals

Contact Us
Print this page

In many applications the wettability of a surface or ability of liquids to wet surfaces can be a key factor in a product’s performance or be a significant issue in a manufacturing process. Measurement of wettability is primarily achieived by measuring the contact angle of a liquid on a surface.

At LPD Lab Services Ltd wettability measurements can be performed via contact angle measurements using the Optical Contact Angle (OCA35) and Dynamic Contact Angle Tensiometer (DCAT11)  instruments supplied by Gerhardt UK and manufactured by Data Physics. These assessments are quantitative and can be tied into changes to surface chemistry.

In addition by combining the contact angle measurements with other surface analysis techniques  available at LPD Lab Services such as  XPS, SIMS and AES,  a deeper understanding of the surface chemisrty can be obtained.

The physical behaviour can also be examined by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of fibre surface roughness as this affects microscopic wetting and localised contact angles.

The combination of contact angle measurements, surface texture / roughness and surface chemical analysis is a powerful tool to unambiguously assess manufacturing processes, product performance or the reliability of in-line processes such as coating systems.

Optical Contact Angle Measurement

Measurement of static and dynamic contact angles on plane, convex, and concave surfaces, contact angle hysteresis, surface free energy of solids, surface and interfacial tensions and absorption properties.


Dynamic Contact Angle Tensiometer

Measurement of static surface and interfacial tensions on liquids, contact angles on powders, fibre bundles and the adsorption behaviour of liquids on wettable materials.  Measurement of dynamic advancing and receding contact angles, determination of critical micelle formation concentrations of surfactant solutions, surface free energies of solid materials, work of adhesion between liquids and solids.


Example typical applications where wetting and contact angle measurements are important include the following materials and chemicals:

Data Physics Application Notes for DCAT and OCA


Application Notes
Document Title View
Determination of Surface Tension and Wettability of Liquid on Solid Surfaces
 
Copyright 2013 LPD Lab Services Ltd. All rights reserved.