Contact angle

When an interface exists between a liquid and a solid, the angle between the surface of the
liquid and the outline of the contact surface is described as the contact angle ;θ (lower case
theta). The contact angle (wetting angle) is a measure of the wettability of a solid by a liquid.

Background
In the case of complete wetting (spreading), the contact angle is 0°. Between 0° and 90°, the
solid is wettable and above 90° it is not wettable. In the case of ultrahydrophobic materials with
the so-called lotus effect, the contact angle approaches the theoretical limit of 180°.

Contact angle on different materials

According to Young's equation, there is a relationship between the contact angle ;θ, the surface
tension of the liquid ;σl, the interfacial tension ;σsl ;between liquid and solid and the surface free
energy ;σs of the solid:

Schematic diagram of contact angle

The contact angle with one or more liquids can be used to determine the surface free energy of a
solid.
 
 
Significance
The contact angle is important wherever the intensity of the phase contact between liquid and
solid substances needs to be checked or assessed: coating, painting, cleaning, printing,
hydrophobic or hydrophilic coating, bonding, dispersing etc.
 
 
Measuring methods
Drop shape analysis: The contact angle is measured using the image of a sessile drop at
the points of intersection (three-phase contact points) between the drop contour and the
projection of the surface (baseline).
 Wilhelmy plate method: The force acting in the tensile direction when moving a plate-
shaped solid vertically in a liquid is measured. This force depends on the contact angle as
well as on the surface tension and the wetted length.

Powder contact angle measurement using the Washburn method: The increase in weight

of an immersed powder-filled tube is measured with respect to time. The rate of rise of the
liquid column depends, among other things, on the contact angle.

Top-view distance method: The curvature of the drop surface associated with the contact
angle is measured using the distance between light spots which are reflected on the top of a
drop surface.

Related products

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